Lighting suggestions for a 55 gal?

[cleeduz]

I am thinking about setting up another tank a 55gal, to be used for BTA's and clowns only.

I am trying to keep this project fairly light on the wallet and was wondering if anyone could suggest a good (but inexpensive) lighting fixture(s) for a standard 55 gallon?

I know T5's would be preferred over PC's, but are they worth the extra expense in this case?

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Shenlung]

my 55 has a Nova Extreme 4x54w T5 setup on it...only cost me about $350 or so and works great for my BTA's and Zoas

 

[JayM]

my 55 has a Nova Extreme 4x54w T5 setup on it...only cost me about $350 or so and works great for my BTA's and Zoas

that fixture has a single reflector, and is not well regarded by many here on the board....I bought one, and it caught on fire. YMMV

If you want to try a used one, shoot me a PM, I think I still have a (non-burned) Nova extreme hanging around in my basement.

IMO, T-5 is DEFINITELY worth the extra $ vs a PC fixture

 

[afboundguy]

I had a 2x96w PC retro on my 55 and I kept a BTA happy for years... I will say once I swapped it to my 4x54w T5 my BTA has had bubbled tips (no one knows for sure why they sometimes bubble and sometimes don't but it happend right after the light upgrade)

So IMO I'd say spend the little extra and get the T5's because in the long run you'll prob want to throw in some more light demanding corals no matter how much you say you just want to keep it a BTA/Clown tank It's bound to happen lol...

 

[fishindude]

I have PCs... I hate them! They are a constant question mark and not worth getting. I am always wondering if the light they put out is good enough. When I upgrade to a 55, it is going to be T5s all the way.

 

[cleeduz]

Thanks for the good advice everyone, I will probably go with the T5's.

So IMO I'd say spend the little extra and get the T5's because in the long run you'll prob want to throw in some more light demanding corals no matter how much you say you just want to keep it a BTA/Clown tank It's bound to happen lol...

Dave, you are probably right. I have used PC's in the past and they worked, but really like my halides (just don't care for the cost & extra heat). And I'm sure I'll want to throw other stuff (corals) in there, down the road and don't really want to be limited. I've been pretty indecisive lately and this 55 gallon tank, may turn into a 40 gallon breeder, by the end of the day... So I may be in the market for a 36" light instead of a 48"...

 

[t1771]

I have the Nova Extreme Pro 6x54w T5's on my tank and never had any problems keeping BTA's. I haven't any problem with the light either and it's been running for 2 yrs.

 

[emzee]

IME the Nova Extreme Pro 6x54W is a nice fixture for a 55 gallon. It is convenient that the width
is 12" so it fits on a 55. Most 6 bulb fixtures extend deeper than the 55 gallon tank width. Even
with the contoured reflector, it seems to give enough light for whatever I've put under it.

 

[kotu100]

IMO 6 bulbs would be overkill unless you were plannin on keeping sps, or any other higher light requirment corals in the future.

as long as its an individual reflector or parabolic reflector fixture 4 bulbs should be fine.

 

[cleeduz]

Thanks for the heads up and the advice from everyone.

I tend to agree that the 4 bulb is all that is necessary in this case. I may add corals in the future, but I currently don't have many SPS in my other tank (halides) and tend to lean more towards LPS, so I think a 4 bulb fixture may be what I should be looking for.

Good info on the Nova Extreme Pro, thank you

 

[reeferpj]

i have a 48" coralife PC for trade if you have any sps or lps frags or short money it needs new lights but like new.not home right now and my computer is down but if you send me a PM i'll get it i'll pm you my #. i'm going to the meeting on sunday

 

[SteveDola]

Aquatinics TX5 is definitely the way to go. 5 bulbs instead of 4 to get a better mix of colors. not too expensive and great quality.

 

[cleeduz]

The TX5's are definitely out of my price range for now. They do look great but imho a bit too pricey for me, atm.

I finally figured out what I am doing with this project, and will be picking up a 40breeder today, so my search continues but for a 36" T5 or uber PC. Wish me luck.