Lighting ???

[eagle9252]

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">I know I need better lights later but what can I do for now? I know if you do a FOWLR it really does not matter what you do. </span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Currently on my 75gal DT I have only 1 (single) coral life T-12. It says it’s a 6500K bulb. But it’s more pink than blue. I have about 25# of cured LR and one has a Kenya tree on it. It was in the back room with regular dim florescent lights at the LFS. I have about 15# of dry old coral rock and about 10# of base rock. I will be doing a reef tank later but I want to be able to get by at the moment. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">After putting all the rocks in it I have some shadows and really dark spots. I know I need more rocks later. But it’s what I have. What I want to do is add a 2 bulb T-8 light and put some 6500K bulbs in it. Again, this is for now. The bulbs do put off a good bit of blue and then in the near future swap them out with some T-8 10,000 K bulbs from the LFS. By then I will have decided on better lights. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">The direction of the tank so far is, LR and fish and some soft corals in a couple of months. I really don’t want MH because of the heat and electric needs. But as always that could change. </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been told that I need to add 1 more power head for flow but I really don’t like anything in the tank. Hopefully when I upgrade in February to a 150ish tank I want to have nothing seen in the tank. I might have to do both corners but I want to hold out to only one corner as it will be 3 ¾ side viewed. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bubbles are from a PS that I'm playing with and it will go in the sump soon.</span>
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Edit: The rock is not touching any of the glass. It's sorta down the middle.

 

[eagle9252]

I know and understand.

but the question was ... what about "now".... I can add a 2 bulb T-8 6500K for 20.00. and by the time I need more lighting I can decide. If I go LEDS then I will stay with T-8 until then or I might go T-5 VHO and skip the 10k T-8.

but again I'm speaking about then now.

Edit: what lights do you use for FOWLR?

 

[hammcd]

not sure what you mean as "now" ...if now means with only rocks and a kenya tree then you could probably hold off on anything for a few months when you decide what lights you really want...but i agree, in the meantime youd probably want to add more flow so you dont start getting nasty algae buildups...if "now" means you want to start adding coral now and want temporary lights then you could do what youre talking about but remember every dollar you spend now youre gonna have to respend later on better lights..there are fairly cheap T5s out there thatd be much better than the additions u r talking about

 

[eagle9252]

at the moment I dont have anything extra to spend. and I dont have anything in it that really needs the lights. i just want to add more lights now on the cheap. Then in a couple of months hopefully someone will be selling some lights cheap. i had to let a nice deal pass me just the other day. 4 T-5s with 3 month old bulbs he wanted 75.00.

 

[eagle9252]

Amici;701119 wrote: My advice is to wait to save up to upgrade right. Your current set up needs more flow a lot worse than more light!

where are these sticky's? there are only 3 in the reef discussion. can you post me a link so I can read it.