Lighting for predator tank

BMotzreefkeeper · Sep 11, 2021

Hey guys,
Im fairly new to the marine hobby.
I have a reef tank, lots of thriving coral fish and inverts.
Im currently building a 200 gallon setup for a ****** predator tank, no real coral due to puffers lol. I know lighting is crucial to coral and the reef ecosystem, but what kind of lighting should i look into for my big setup? Big lights for big tanks can cost big dollars. Just dont want to shell out a couple grand for lights in the predator tank if i don't need super high grade.
Thanks so much!

TheDragonsReef · Sep 11, 2021

Honestly just light it so that its bright enough to see everything. You dont need intense lighting and all it will do is cause algae growth.

JumboShrimp · Sep 11, 2021

100% agree. One of the pleasures of a FOWLR is that you can use ‘el-cheapo’ (but reliable) lights; the only things that matters is, ‘Can you see your fish?’ I just use lights that can give me white and blue— depending on what mood I’m in.

BMotzreefkeeper · Sep 11, 2021

JumboShrimp said:
100% agree. One of the pleasures of a FOWLR is that you can use ‘el-cheapo’ (but reliable) lights; the only things that matters is, ‘Can you see your fish?’ I just use lights that can give me white and blue— depending on what mood I’m in.

Forgive my ignorance but..
FOWLR??

Jedi1199 · Sep 11, 2021

BMotzreefkeeper said:
Forgive my ignorance but..
FOWLR??

FOWLR= Fish only with live rock.

I have a 180 FOWLR tank that I have a single Orbit marine strip over. It is plenty intense enough to light the fish and yet dim enough to keep algae in check. I've had these lights on the reef tanks and they are NOT strong enough for corals.

BMotzreefkeeper · Sep 11, 2021

Jedi1199 said:
FOWLR= Fish only with live rock.

I have a 180 FOWLR tank that I have a single Orbit marine strip over. It is plenty intense enough to light the fish and yet dim enough to keep algae in check. I've had these lights on the reef tanks and they are NOT strong enough for corals.

Thank you!
Thats awesome! Got any pics?
And whats in there for fish?

JumboShrimp · Sep 11, 2021

Fish are happy with virtually any lighting.

Jedi1199 · Sep 12, 2021

Here is a shot of my 180...

BMotzreefkeeper · Sep 12, 2021

Jedi1199 said:
Here is a shot of my 180...

Man thats sick! No issue with the picasso trigger and the smaller fish?

BMotzreefkeeper · Sep 12, 2021

JumboShrimp said:
Fish are happy with virtually any lighting.

Those are 2 of my favirote fish! Thats a wicked setup! Thanks for sharing

Jedi1199 · Sep 12, 2021

For the most part, he's ok.. He HAS been known to have a taste for sushi every now and then... As long as I keep everyone fed and any new additions are large enough there's no problems.