Current freshwater light on a saltwater tank

[TylerE]

Hi I'm new to this forum and new to saltwater. Well not quite into saltwater yet but on my way there. My question is about lighting. I was just given a 75g tank that was equipped for freshwater. There is a new 48" current light included with the tank. I'm wondering if that light will work for now to get me started. I'm not planning on having any corals right away so I know I'll need to change that light for that but to get the tank started will this work? Thanks for the info.

 

[Spare time]

It will work for fish. While fish probably do better under light that replicates their natural environment, it isn't necessary for them in our tanks.

 

[TylerE]

Thanks for the quick reply. But forgot to mention I want to have live rock. Will that be ok?

 

[piranhaman00]

Yes light will work fine, spectrum will be geared for growing plants so algae will grow more readily

 

[Spare time]

Thanks for the quick reply. But forgot to mention I want to have live rock. Will that be ok?

Are you referring to the light and the rock or just live rock in general

 

[TylerE]

Just the light. Rock will be new live rock.

 

[sam2110]

It will grow algea and most probably lots of it. Be careful!

 

[Spare time]

Yes light will work fine, spectrum will be geared for growing plants so algae will grow more readily

Just the light. Rock will be new live rock.

It will be fine then. It won't grow algae any better than a coral light would. Zooxanthellae in corals IS algae. The idea that white light or full spectrum grows algae better is a myth. What causes algae has to do more with your water quality. Any light we have on our tanks will be just fine for most algae so long as it isn't 100% green light.