question in regard to lighting and future upgrade

[Vinman75]

I currently have a 55 gallon FOWLR tank and and running T5 lights. just two. both 54 watt, one a 10K daylight lamp and another is the 54 watt blue antcinic (or however its spelled? . The lighting system has died. The lights won't turn on and the hood they were in has always stunk. So I need to get a new one. I hope to someday add some very basic corral into the tank. Would the lights described above be sufficient to have corals in the tank as well? Or would they not be strong enough for the tank have corals? Would I need to upgrade at that time to a 4 light, each 54 watt, T5 light system?
The current set up has worked pretty well. And I would like to keep the costs low. But I am wondering if I replace what I have with the current system that I would have to upgrade to a bigger lighting system in the future if I want to have coral in the tank then?
I hope this makes sense!
Any thoughts?

 

[nemodan]

As a rule for most of the corals a 3-4 W/G of water works well.

55 G x 3.5 ~ 193 W

The Red Sea Max C250 that I have is a 65G tank and come from factory with 6 T5 (39W each) = 234 W ÷ 65G = 3.6 W/ G . And I grow SPS (including Acros) with that light.

If you only want soft corals with ~3W/G will be OK. From that point up (LPS and SPS) you will need more.

My suggestion: Do one purchase. It will be better one expensive fixture than 1 cheap to start and in a year you find that you want other corals and need to upgrade the fixture.


Cheers
Daniel

 

[Owen386]

When i ran a 55 i ran a four bulb t5 with good results. This will be sufficient for most corals. Its currently for sale as well.

Sent from my LG-LS720 using Tapatalk

 

[s_kelley]

If your going to get a new fixture I would go w 4 t5 54's that will do nicely for most corals in that sized tank

 

[s_kelley]

Oh and save yourself a few bucks and check the for sale forum, there's always good stuff listed

 

[phg1960]

You could always go with another two bulb set-up and add another fixture later. If money is not that pressed at this time. This looks like an interesting fixture for relatively cheap money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/T5-Quad-48-...a53c4e6&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=251812943078

 

[Vinman75]

Thank you everyone for the info. I appreciate it. Owen386, are you selling one? I have been looking for it on the sale forum but didn't see it? You can PM or something or send a picture. I would be interested. Thanks!

 

[s_kelley]

I was looking for it too so I could send you the link, I would PM him for more info

 

[Vinman75]

I did see that there is another one that has been there for a while. It is an Aquaclif? I think was the name. I just contact the person as well.
I don't know why but I dont always think of buying used stuff, but I really should. Would probably save me a bunch of money. Especially with this hobby.

 

[s_kelley]

Yeah I always check to see if someone local has what I am looking for before shelling out the big bucks LOL
Some good people on here just looking to pass along equip to a fellow reefer. AquaticLife makes a decent fixture too

 

[dz6t]

Due to the dimension of a 55 gallon tank, a 4 bulbs t5 is the best option as said by previous posts.
I would go for a quality fixture like ATI or aquaticlife instead of a eBay fixture. The light output is much better with quality fixture due to better heat ventilation, better ballast and better reflectors.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cilyjr]

I agree with dong. A good quality 4 bulb fixture will last a long time ano put out the light you will need for most coral.
The ballast will be better made so you'll get more output there and likely increased bulb life. It will likely have individual reflectors which increases output. And higher quality material in production so you are less likely to see little rusted screws ect. Get a good brand used and you won't be back thinking of buying a new light again in 6 months.

 

[dz6t]

Those Odysea lights, which in the eBay link, come sub par t-5 bulbs that are very dim.

 

[Owen386]

Sorry, yea the fixture i have for sale is a current fixture great fixture. Have not bumped it for a while so prob hard to find. Ill do it for 50 bucks, with all the bulbs i have accumulated over time so you can play with color combos.

Sent from my LG-LS720 using Tapatalk