Getting a new 240g, need lighting advice please.

[sam180]

Hey all. I'm currently running a 75g freshwater with an integrated LED fixture. I will be upgrading to a 240g (standard 8x2x2 size) and I don't have much experience with lighting. A friend of mine recommended getting two 4ft fluorescent fixtures with either 1 or 2 sockets each and adding a "zoomed" LED fixture to them. I would appreciate any additional recommendations. I am trying to keep it fairly economical if possible. As it will be freshwater, I don't need expensive reef bulbs. Thanks in advance.

 

[ImACoolguy]

If you want really cheap just hang some shop lights with a good bulb above it


Caleb

 

[sam180]

If you want really cheap just hang some shop lights with a good bulb above it


Caleb

Maybe not quite *that* cheap lol. Something decent for under $200 would be nice.

 

[glennscott]

I have the exact same size tank. I have 2 48" 4 bulb t5 light fixtures I picked up from a hydroponics store. $120.00 each included 6400k cfls. Also they are 54 watt ho fixtures. Approximately 40,000 lumens total. It would cost me almost twice as much to build from parts from Home Depot.


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[sam180]

I have the exact same size tank. I have 2 48" 4 bulb t5 light fixtures I picked up from a hydroponics store. $120.00 each included 6400k cfls. Also they are 54 watt ho fixtures. Approximately 40,000 lumens total. It would cost me almost twice as much to build from parts from Home Depot.


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Are there good fixtures that will rest on top of the tank or will I need to be hanging them from the ceiling?

 

[glennscott]

They do look like shop lights. Powder coated white with reflectors for each bulb. You could easily build feed to sit on top of the tank. Mine hang from the top of my canopy about 8" from the top of the tank


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[Mebbid]

Are you planning on planting this tank or just displaying fish?

 

[glennscott]

Planted tank no co2. I have about 200lbs of Eco complete with about 60 lbs of Aztec brown gravel for a more natural riverbed look and to save a little money on Eco complete. I just had to cut my lights back to about 5 hrs due to algae issues I


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[glennscott]

My tank has only been cycled for about a month now so now I get to deal with all the new tank issues until it settles down


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