FO Lighting

[cityreefer]

4 weeks in to my first fish only setup( i have always had reef tanks) just wondering what can-reefer's are using for lighting their fish only tanks.

i am running the bulbs that i had with the tank (reg freshwater florescent) so i am getting a lot of algae growth of course lol

wondering if i should just change the bulb to a saltwater, or upgrade the whole thing?

[MarkoD]

The higher the kelvin of the bulb the better.

Anything 10 000k and lower will grow a lot of algae

[cityreefer]

i am thinking this is mostly 6,500 k. it gives a real yellow color time to change lol

[cityreefer]

what do you think about just adding a 50/50 bulb ?

[Skimmerking]

nothing wrong with a 50 50 bulb,
The hagen glo-mats the 40 W series are a cheap lighting ballast and end connectors for a FO set up.
if you g o to Home depot and pick up the 6500 K bulbs with the Actinic Normal flouresants then your lighting is done.

2 x glomats
2 6500 K bulbs and
2x Actinic bulbs


DONE

[fire&sputum]

Marineland doublebright LED fixture, with a 2 bulb T5 HO to fill in the dark spots.
I aim one of the powerheads at the surface and it gives the tank a great shimmer effect.

[Raf]

yes 50/50 PC or T5 or just pure actinic if you like the look. As for algae, check phosphate levels and control them.

[scub steve]

im using the marineland reefbrite led and im loving it. no heat no bulb changes