I currently have a unit with 2x150w metal halides, 2 actinic flous. Is light cycle really that important for my FOWLR tank? There is no coral of any kind in there. Just fishes.
I only switch the metal halides on for 4 hours at night when I get home because during day time there is no one interested looking at the fishes. Well at least not my 2 and a half year old son, he is more interested in watching his cartoon channels on satellite tv during the day anyway. Or worse he might just mess around with the tank if the light catches his attention.
Also if I reduce the light cycle I will almost have no algae problem as well am I right? Since metal halides use so much electricity I might as well also use it as lighting for my lounge area then I don’t need to switch on extra lights for the area.
Since there is no coral in the tank I can hang the metal halide a bit higher to lit the whole lounge area as no intense lighting is needed for the fishes. Also it is almost summer time here in Australia the metal halides also won’t cook the aquarium water from long distance and I don’t need to worry too much about temperature (don’t need chiller etc but I do have an aquarium fan blowing the water surface to help evaporation and thereby reduce temp).
The main reason I get a metal halide for my FOWLR tank is to get the underwater ripple shadow effects. It just looks so damn cool. I don’t think normal flous can do this as they are just not bright enough. Not even VHO flous can achieve this I think (well… not sure).
Secondly I am not sure if I will go reef or not in future so better have it now than upgrading it later.
So could anyone suggest if 4 hours a day of metal halide lighting is alright for my FOWLR tank? Will darkness (well not total darkness as there are natural lights in the house during the day) stress fish out considering the tank is out of lighting for 20 hours a day?
I only switch the metal halides on for 4 hours at night when I get home because during day time there is no one interested looking at the fishes. Well at least not my 2 and a half year old son, he is more interested in watching his cartoon channels on satellite tv during the day anyway. Or worse he might just mess around with the tank if the light catches his attention.
Also if I reduce the light cycle I will almost have no algae problem as well am I right? Since metal halides use so much electricity I might as well also use it as lighting for my lounge area then I don’t need to switch on extra lights for the area.
Since there is no coral in the tank I can hang the metal halide a bit higher to lit the whole lounge area as no intense lighting is needed for the fishes. Also it is almost summer time here in Australia the metal halides also won’t cook the aquarium water from long distance and I don’t need to worry too much about temperature (don’t need chiller etc but I do have an aquarium fan blowing the water surface to help evaporation and thereby reduce temp).
The main reason I get a metal halide for my FOWLR tank is to get the underwater ripple shadow effects. It just looks so damn cool. I don’t think normal flous can do this as they are just not bright enough. Not even VHO flous can achieve this I think (well… not sure).
Secondly I am not sure if I will go reef or not in future so better have it now than upgrading it later.
So could anyone suggest if 4 hours a day of metal halide lighting is alright for my FOWLR tank? Will darkness (well not total darkness as there are natural lights in the house during the day) stress fish out considering the tank is out of lighting for 20 hours a day?
