Lighting question for 75 FOWLR

[mlott132]

I got my tank setup on the stand today and turned on the strip light that came with the tank and was not impressed with the light. What would you recommend for a 75G FOWLR? I would rather not spend more than $200 for the fixture. I was looking at a Coralife fixture but I would like to hear some feedback first before I decide.

[Andrew]

Get a simple coralife T5 unit. A 48'' one would run just over $120 or so for one.

[jeff@zina.com]

48" T-5, 2 bulb fixture from Home Depot. You don't need reef lighting.

Jeff

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[mlott132]

Hey guys I was looking on ebay and found this fixture for 180. Not sure if it is cool to post the link so here are the specs. Seemed like a good deal and the seller has great feedback. Let me know your thoughts.


Package include:

1 x 48" T5 HO Quad Aquarium Lighting fixture with built-in timer.
3 x 54W T5 HO 12000K bulb. (6700K bulb is also available upon request)
3 x 54W T5 HO Actinic bulb. (6700K bulb is also available upon request)
10 x Dual LED moon lights.
Acrylic Anti-splash Guard
4 x Mounting brackets.
Features:
Compact design contains everything you need for a perfect aquarium lighting set up.
324W power output in total.
Built-in timer controls lights setting schedule easily.
Individual power cord controls T5 bulb, Actinic bulb, and LED lights respectively.
Equipped with high efficiency aluminum reflector, non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing.
Dual LED moon lights provide good performance during night.
Dimensions: 47.5" x 12.5" x 2.5".

[MarkGP]

Sounds like it is way overkill for a fowlr. Unless.......you are planning on going reef in the future.

[mlott132]

Yes, at some point I am planning on going reef. Want to get comfortable taking care of the system before I switch.

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[sandwi54]

You can buy that fixture and use only two bulbs until you move onto reef.

[trinidiver]

You sure you want to buy something like that from ebay? better of on amazon or craigs list

[just1327]

Welcome to rc

[mlott132]

Doing a little more searching on the net I cam across an Aquatop SkyLED. Anyone heard anything good/bad on these. The fixture contains 462 LEDs and runs about 120. Here are the specs on the light. Let me know your thoughts. Right now I am torn between this one and the one I found on eBay. Kind of leaning toward the led because of the power savings as well as being able to have the shimmering effect in the tank.

462 bright white, blue, red LEDs
Total lumens 16632
Dimensions - 48"L x 3.5"W x 2"H
30% energy savings
Power 28W
Extendable bracket - 51" max length
Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
Acrylic splash guard
Reflector
110V - 60Hz

The white LEDs are rated at 14k
The blue LEDs are rated at 460nm
The red LEDs are rated at 640nm-660nm

Each unit has three ON/OFF switches to independently control the LEDs.

[Denbf58]

after reading its specs at trueaqua it says there is only 28 watt total so if your planing to go reef later on you will have to upgrade

[Cloudburst2000]

I believe a couple important questions have been missed. When are you planning on making the FOWLR into a reef tank (this year, next year, several years down the line)? And what types of corals are you planning on keeping when you do make the switch...softies, lps, sps, a combo of different types? Are you planning on keeping an anemone or a clam? The type of life you want when you do switch over will need to play a role in the type of lighting you buy now. Also, do you have a preference on lighting? Would you want LEDs, T5s, Metal Halides, or a combo?

[Cloudburst2000]

Also, instead of buying the lighting new, I would check into used set-ups. This can save you a load of money. All my lighting systems have been bought used and it saved me hundreds of dollars. You haven't been on this site long enough to buy here but check out craigslist (where I have bought all my light set-ups), ebay, your local reef society (if there is one in your area), reef societies from areas that aren't too far from you. Where are you located anyway?

[mlott132]

Realistically, I am looking and making the switch to reef about two years down the road. Need to get my confidence high before making the leap. As for the types of corals, I am unsure at this time, but I do want to have an anemone. Probably going to start with the easiest then work my way up. I really like the way the LEDs make the water shimmer so that is my preference, but my second choice would be T5s. I have been looking at used units but have not found anything worthwhile yet. In an earlier post, I did find a T5/LED combo that is a little more money then this LED unit. I am located in NW Indiana.

[MarkGP]

If it's going to be a couple of years then buy the inexpensive T5 strip for now and save up over the next couple of years for the LED fixture you want.

[Reeferz412]

Judging by how the light is described, it sounds like you are on the Aquatraders/Odyssea website.

[mlott132]

The LED unit I found on truaqua's website.

[Reeferz412]

The LEDs from Truaqua will not suffice for corals. Good for FOWLR, but not corals. There is a thread on Chinese LEDs on this forum (keyword: Chinese LEDs) and many people including myself, use them. I have a 20 gallon so I have a much smaller application, but you may want to read on that forum and see what LEDs the bigger reef tank users use. It wont break your bank and they are reliable and you can also grow any coral with those lights down the line when you decide to plunge into coral keeping.

[mlott132]

Thanks, I'll have to check that out.