55 gal lighting question

[schneidts]

Hi,
I recently purchased a 55 gal bowfront, with plans to soon start a reef tank. I'm pretty confident that I'm ready, but I'm a little unsure of what lighting I'll need. I want to eventually (when the tank is ready) have some soft coral and a couple anemones, along with an appropriate ammount of LR and LS and some fishies. I guess my main q is what lighting do the creatures who require "moderate light" and "heavy light" require? :notsure: Any help is greatly appreciated...thanks in advance.

 

[schneidts]

Anybody?

 

[robn70]

A combination of VHO and MH will allow you to keep just about anything you want.

 

[beaslbob]

in my 55g (4' wide) I use 2 $8 2 tube shop lights. There is enough room (by doing another hood for another shop light. That is definately more than enough for a fowlr tank. Most state the for corals (and an anemone) you need pc or mh lighting.

 

[buzz]

If you are sticking to soft corals, PC's or VHO's should be fine. If you ever plan on any SPS, go with MH lighting.

 

[schneidts]

Thank you all for your imput. I was afraid everyone would say I needed the most expensive MH's money could buy. I'll probably go with the VHO's just to be safe. I don't plan on any stoney coral, at least not for at least a year. Thanks again.:happy:

 

[rossv]

I got a sweet 6x55w PC light that i love for my tank. about a week and a half ago i got a SPS frag to see how well it would do and so far it looks fine. But it definetly is enough for anything but SPS. most anemones need pretty strong light so i would go with power compacts if you can. Mine was only$350 =)