Lighting for a 55 gal

[Anonymous]

I know that I have been through this before, but technology has changed a bit and SWMBO is finally on board this time. (All it took was scuba diving in Mexico). I know a 55 gal is not ideal, but I have it and, again, there is the SWMBO factor (i.e. no new tanks allowed.)

I will not be keeping SPS, anemones, or anything that is difficult or too delicate to keep. I have no desire to be a slave to a tank. So, we are looking at softies, LPS, and, maybe, a clam or two.

Energy efficiency is important as is yearly replacement costs for bulbs.

So what kind of lighting does the brain trust recommend?

One other thing, I am planning on going bare bottom or maybe a very thin layer of sand, mostly for aesthetics, unless someone can give me a compelling reason not to.

 

[trido]

I like things blue. I'd used 250 MH with 20k lighting.

 

[wereef]

My first tank was a 55g

I ran the gammit of lighting from vho to pc to MH and finally decided that the combination of 10k mh with vho 03's was a great look for my taste. the vho 03's add a great floresence and the shimmer from the 250's was sweet. Heat was a killer issue though. 2 MH bulbs and 2 VHO's put out some heat over a 55! without a chiller, u better live somewhere cool!!!!!

55 gallons is a tuff tank to reef IMHO.....no retail space once the live rock goes in......best of luck!!!!!!

Also, My 55 had a 8" deep sand bed and always did well, the tank in my sig is BB and has ran just as well. I prefer the BB tank now that I gave it a try. Just remeber that with BB, you need to spend more time on upkeep. I vac out the bottom once a week while doing my water changes. Once the coraline and corals started growing on the bottom, I really liked the BB way......

Wereef

 

[Anonymous]

Apologies, but I'm not sure of your dimensions, as I think US standard sizes are different than they are over here.

But I would seriously consider T5s if you're concerned about energy costs. Some reasonably good lights would do just fine if you didn't want to spend too much and were going to stick with softies and the more tolerant LPS. With clams and other more light hungry LPS, you might want to think about slightly pricier options such as the TEK lights and up. Fewer heat issues and light levels can still be very good. You lose the classic MH shimmer of course, although there are some T5 fixtures that now incorporate LEDs to try and replicate that.

 

[Anonymous]

Is this a 4 foot long or a 3 foot long? How about width?

If you're concerned about energy efficiency and don't need high light corals T5s would be my best choice, retro kits not pendants (as those cost a bank), then fab some hood to hide all the guts.

 

[Anonymous]

Is this a 4 foot long or a 3 foot long? How about width?

If you're concerned about energy efficiency and don't need high light corals T5s would be my best choice, retro kits not pendants (as those cost a bank), then fab some hood to hide all the guts.

It's a standard 48" x 18".

Which one of the sponsors would be the best source for lighting?

 

[Anonymous]

Premium Aquatics has a pretty good selection. Never used them myself though.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I like things blue. I'd used 250 MH with 20k lighting.

I once read an article on the internet about Kelvin levels and how they affect the growth of your corals. It said that they had found that 20k level had significantly slowed the growth of the corals in the tank. and that 10k had produced the most rapid growth? Has anyone found this to be true?

 

[Anonymous]

I know that I have been through this before, but technology has changed a bit and SWMBO is finally on board this time.

:lol: totally off topic, but I had to look SWMBO up! Anyway, if you are serious about clams MH or a combo fixture may be the way to go Bier. I always say go big, simply because you don't have to go through the expensive -and IMhhO inevitable upgrade.

I really liked the results I had with this type setup...
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?Pa ... ProdID=339

It worked well, but is pricey. You can DIY a canopy for less if you are so inclined.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, that is a little bit more than I want to spend. I hear ya about the inevitable upgrade, but I am not sure that my floors can really support anything more than 75 gal or maybe 125 gallons if I put it over a joist. However, that would require some major electrical work to get enough juice there. 15 amps ain't gonna cut it.

 

[Anonymous]

This is a link to the 48" version of the combination T5/LED fixture I mentioned (someone else mentioned it a little while ago, I can't remember who, but it seemed like a good option). $330 cheaper than the Helio fixture.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...oduct_Code=FI-DL-4854&Category_Code=Finnex-T5

 

[Anonymous]

I meant upgrade in the sense "gee, if I had more lighting I could keep (whatever light loving critter I didn't know I wanted until I saw). I am the queen of doing that