use of shoplights for FOWLR

[jwtrojan44]

currently on my 56 gal tank, i'm using the standard two NO strip lights with a total of 40 watts. I'm looking into replacing this set-up with some higher wattage shop lights, and using egg crate to cover the tank. Is anyone else doing this and what sort of watts are you using? I plan to "someday" upgrade to PC's or MH, but I'm taking it slow.
By the way, I'm new to the board and have gotten a lot of great stuff here. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Reefland]

Originally posted by jwtrojan44
I'm looking into replacing this set-up with some higher wattage shop lights

I'm guessing you mean longer lamps providing more wattage? How would you retro anything longer than a 24" bulb on a 30" tank?

and using egg crate to cover the tank.

What is the purpose of the eggcrate? Do you have some jumpers?

By the way, I'm new to the board and have gotten a lot of great stuff here. Thanks for any suggestions.

Thanks for joining us.
Scott

[jwtrojan44]

I have not yet looked into shop lights to see if they come in different length fixtures. I have the 4 footers, but wondered if they come in shorter sizes. I'd like to suspend the fixture above the tank and have at least 80 watts if possible, but I don't know what size bulbs I can get for which fixture. I'm probably going to check out Home Depot on Monday. Ultimately, I'd love MH pendants but my kid's tuition doesn't allow for that yet! As far as the egg crate, yeah, I've got two jawfish that are always checking out the top of the tank, and a purple firefish that I'd hate to lose, plus I like to idea of better surface exchange with no solid cover. Just have to deal with the extra evaporation.
Thanks.

[Reefland]

Well the shorter the lamp, the less wattage. So if you wanted to increase it with NO's, perhaps you could add some shorter tubes (which would fit better over your tank) to add a few additional watts.

After reviewing your thread in the Equipment Forum, I wonder why you want to increase the lighting? Are you planning on adding corals to the tank? It appears from your stock list that you only have fish and some clean up critters which will not benefit from an increase in light.

Scott

[jwtrojan44]

Thanks, Scott. Actually, I'd like to take this tank in the "reef direction" and eventually add some corals, etc. (I have another FO tank that will probably stay that way) The other day, I took down one of my shop light fixtures and held it over the tank. WOW! What a difference twice the light makes, even if only normal flourescent tubes. Anyway, the NO lights are nice right now, but I guess short of upgrading to MH or PC's, is there any size of fixture under three feet that I can use that will give me more light. I'm also dosing the tank with C-Balance to promote coralline growth. I appreciate your help. I might even lok into having a hood built at reefland one of these days!

[Reefland]

24" lamps are the closest fit for a 30" tank. As long as your using daylight lamps, placing some zoanthids and mushrooms in the tank will be fine under the NO's.

When upgrading, look into a 2-4x24" VHO kit. At 75w per bulb, you can get some nice lighting which would allow you to keep a wide range of corals.

Regards,
Scott

[jwtrojan44]

Thanks again Scott! I appreciate the help. I'll check into the VHO upgrade. It sounds like what I'd need.