Another Coral Lighting Question From A Noob

T

the3kgt2

AC Members
Sep 26, 2005
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I bought a 46G Oceanic bow front tank. Currently being setup for FOWLR. It has a deluxe hood with a fluorescent strip. The hood has a clear plastic strip and the light strip just sits on top of it. It's rated at only 37 watts. I don't have any corals and don't have a plan for them. But just in case I do, I want to have the bare minimum to keep an easy coral like polyps. I'm broke so the cheapest lighting possible will do.

So....Can I just buy a better fluorescent strip with maybe an actinic bulb? Will I have trouble getting a fixture look flush with my tank since it's a Bow Front? Or should I just forget it and never keep coral?
 
Unfortunately, you've entered into the wrong hobby if you're broke. ;)

You won't be able to keep very much, if anything, with 37 watts of normal output fluorescent. Maybe a mushroom high up in the tank.

The "cheapest lighting possible" will only lead to frustration and wasted money. Lighting is definitely not what you want to skimp on with corals.

If you really are desparate, a good quality used PC system (such as a Coralife Aqualight or an Orbit) can usually be found quite easily from people looking to move up to "real" lighting.

But, if I were you I'd save my pennies until I was able to afford a high quality lighting system and stay FOWLR for the foreseeable future. Do lots of research, shop around and plan long-term.
 
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