Yep bout ready take the plunge

[Pure]

My 29 gal brackish tank is about ready to move over to full marine. I say this because in this tank the only occupant is a green spot puffer, and he is getting to the size where he will required this. Now I plan on it being a FOWLR. I have down the basics and will do away with the HOB and replace it with 2 power heads.

Now my questions is about lighting. This tank came with a standard black plastic hood with a light on it. Can I overdrive this fixture enough to support live rock? Do I even need to do this....just for live rock?

Thoughts?? Suggestions??

Please keep in mind I am keeping a puffer here that will destroy most inverts, but low light corals are not out of the question.

 

[Perfectblue]

I'm guessing from your description that you have normal output fluorescent lighting correct? which is fine for a FOWLR. If you wanted to keep some low light coral though I would upgrade lighting to at least PowerCompact fluorescent.

 

[Pure]

Indeed that is right. I was thinking about that. Was kinda wondering if over driving the ones I have will work. If not that's cool. Will the standard 24 inch 65 watt reef CPF be enough?

Keep in mind that I do not want high light high maintenance. I have enough tanks to keep me busy as is. I just want this one to be a nice home for the puffer.

And a cover is a must.

Thanks for the help.

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Pure, I already know how many fish you have.... so I won't even ask, how many tanks you have....

 

[Pure]

never enough Mr Mouse never enough....

Edit: actually no you do not know how many I have as I didn't list numbers, just species I am keeping ATM. I felt numbers would just be bragging.

Lucky for the readers I didn't also list the species I have kept, normal and very odd.

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Oh yes I do know..... It is A LOT!

 

[Lotus]

Good luck with going full saltwater

The wonderful sticky says that you only need standard aquarium lighting for live rock (no corals/mushrooms, etc.): http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/sal...-rock-foundation-healthy-marine-aquarium.html

 

[Pure]

Yeah I'm bad about reading stickis...It's so funny until it isn't funny any more. I have and will spend hrs researching a species, but for some reason have yet to read all of the stickies here on this site. *hangs head in shame* I will tomorrow I promise.

Edit: Now who do I talk to about some profiles..makeing and fixing some that are up ATM?

 

[wayne]

You will find NO fluorexcents fine for most of what turns up on lr, and a combination of a 10K and an actinic very good for growing coralline algae which is what everybody seems to like.
20 gals is a bit small for a FOWLR, but it's ok if you are looking to maintain a specific fish. I have a total of 6 fish by the way, so counting them is easy for me.

 

[Pure]

It's a 29 and is actually bare minimum for this guy. He maxes at 6 inches. Right now he is around 4. He seems to be growing pretty slowly, but all this will be moved to a 55 when he gets bigger.

That's one of the reasons I do not want to dump a ton of $ in lighting for this tank as it will not be his permanent home.

Thanks for the info on the lighting.