My 50 gallon FOWLR tank only allows for a 20watt light at maximum and i bought an 18 watt for it. Should i invest in a new lighting system?
Do I have enuff lighting for liverock?
- Thread starter marine_geek
- Start date
Live rock needs zero light, zip, none, nada. It's only the algaes that live on it (desirable coraline, then the "undersirable" algaes) and any possible hitchhiker corals (also aiptasia, hydroids and similar - pests) that need light. So depending on how much/if you want those organisms to thrive/survive, you may not need light/might want more light. But still I would expect you to get some decent coralline growth over time and maybe some other photosynthetic organisms, if they make it into your tank (BTW - aiptasia WILL grow and multiply in your tank, if you find aiptasia, kill at ASAP).
Still some better lighting wouldn't hurt... even though there's no real need for it with your type of tank, IMO a brighter tank looks better.
Still some better lighting wouldn't hurt... even though there's no real need for it with your type of tank, IMO a brighter tank looks better.
Thanks for the replies 
I've known the live rock doesn't need good lighting I was just wondering is their would be many benefits to more lighting. I should have been more specific with my question.
I've known the live rock doesn't need good lighting I was just wondering is their would be many benefits to more lighting. I should have been more specific with my question.
it depends on what types of corals and such you plan on on keeping but in general lighting ranges anywhere from [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]1.5 Watts/gallon to 6 Watts/gallon[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
What are you wanting to stock in the reef tank? SPS, clams, anemones and some LPS need high light. Softies, mushrooms, etc. don't require high light. Watts per gallon guidelines are good to use but where you place something in a tank is a factor, how deep the tank is as well, and what kind of bulbs you're using is yet another consideration.
Thanks - We want the "tree" like coral on the top of the rock, and the softer ones down the sides
you could put VHO's for those type of corals. MH arent really all that expensive if you know where to look.
When you say tree like do you mean a Kenya Tree or an SPS with the brightly colored bodies that look like colorful branches or twigs to some?