I have a 110 gal tank 48" long and have a single bulb 40w floresent fixture. The lighting seems ok, and since lighting can get expensive I thought I would ask what you think. Oh yea, it's a fish only tank.

I read somewhere that you should have 1-2 watts per gal.. Is this true?

Also what temp bulbs do you use. I just have one of the aquarium / plant bulbs from Homedepot.

Thanks

Lighting is really only for our benefit and the fish that we are keeping do not really require a specific type of lighting, in fact Oscars come from the part of the world where it is often very dimly lit and murky.

I really don't like aquariums that are so bright, you need sunglasses to look at your fish, a slightly dimly lit tank is a much more authentic look in my opinion.

40 Watts doesn't seem a lot to me, can you post a picture of your tank with the lights on room lights off?

So to answer your question is a little difficult, if you are happy with the lighting then why not stick with it? Like you say, the more lighting you have, the more expensive it will be in the long run. Your fish aren't going to be bothered either way.

OFL wrote:

just a question thats related... my tank sits in the kitchen and get so much natural light during the day you realy cant tell if the light is on or off, with that much light does it matter if my hood light is on or not???

Thanks OLF, I agree, but do different lights make the tank look better?

I don't turn my tank lights on until the late afternoon. Only because it gives the fish some extra dark time, and then the lights are only on for about 7-8 hours a day. Save a little electricity at least.

I do the same with a timer. they come on about 10am and turn off at 7pm when the blue led night lights come on..

So what I'm getting is that the normal generic aqarium bulb is just as good as the "bright Color" bulbs?

I think it all depends on whether you like an authentic look or not. I suppose it's a little bit like people who put sunken ships and castles in their aquarium, they're not really bothered about having a natural looking aquarium, more of a decorative look. The same goes for lighting, there are all sorts of different lighting units on the market, with different types of bulbs that gave different effects, many of them will give a very nice look to your aquarium but will be very artificial.

I'm afraid I have never been one for decorative fish tanks, I prefer a natural look to my aquarium, some say it's a little bit boring with just a few pebbles and some large pieces of wood, however that is how I like it.

jcrunk69 wrote:


My house gets a LOT of natural light as well, so I turn my lights on at dusk, and off again at bed time. They are only on for 6 hours a day max!