Hi all,

I just got a 55-gallon tank that had been used as a saltwater reef setup. The lighting hood is loaded with lights - 2 big white (full-specturm) flourescent lights, one large blue light, and two smaller blue lights (still plenty bright). Obviously this is more than enough light for a freshwater setup - but will it cause problems for my fish? I'm guessing the heat from the lights is as much a concern as the light itself.

But my opinion is that I have it, so if it's not going to hurt anything I might as well use it.

Thanks!

My 66 gallon tank has 4 48" fluorescent tubes in the hood. I am currently running it will full spectrum bulbs. The only thing you may find is that you may have a lot of algae to contend with. I have my tank heavily planted, so the plants keep the algae in check. If all of the bulbs are fluorescents, then you shouldn't have a problem with overheating. You can always disconnect a few of the bulbs.

Thanks! I plan on heavily planting the tank, so hopefully that will help fight off the algae. If not, I guess my pleco will get fat. I think I'll try running my 3 main bulbs, and if the plants seem to need more light I'll add the other two blue lights as well...