Calling All Lighting Experts!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fish_kisses]

I have a fifty five gallon fowlr, but I want to add more corals and I know that my lighting is not sufficient for the additions. Right now I have two 25watt actinic blues and two 25 watt 50/50 bulbs. I am going to buy a whole new light fixture for the tank, but don't know what kind and what types of bulbs to use ....Also what is the wattage to gallon ratio for lighting marine aquariums???? Please Help!!!!!!!!!

 

[mr . salty]

The wattage rule is 3-7watts per gallon for a reef.But this is debatable.I believe that proximity to the light is more important than total wattage.At any rate,you should have more than what you now have. I would suggest one 150-175watt Metal halite,with one or two VHO's to suppliment the daylight or blues(depending on what MH bulb you get).But if you were to get one MH in there,the exsisting flo's would probably work for supplimental lighting....
[ July 02, 2001: Message edited by: MR . SALTY ]

 

[burnnspy]

I recommend 2-175watt 10000K MH bulbs in addition to the flo bulbs you already have.
This is considered Moderate lighting and is good for all soft corals, mushrooms, polyps and LPS corals and a few SPS corals and clams(Gigas and Squamosa).
BurnNSpy

 

[andymi]

If cost is a factor you could also probably do 4 36" 96 watt vho's. Like 3 50/50's an a Blue actinic with an ice cap ballast, probably cost around $300 total.
--Andy
P.S. VHO is not as good as MH, but could help you keep many things other than maybe scallops and such.

 

[fish_kisses]

what's vho sort for? I understand what you mean when you say mh. Sorry I am just expanding my knowledge in this department! Thanks to all for the help so far!!
Would a 48-in. fluorescent 4-bulb fixture with, 2 actinac 7100k and two 50/50 6000k daylights...would that light my tank okay to keep more corals?

 

[jond]

VHO stands for Very High Output. Do a web search for Icecap ballest and you will find a distributor with some good info on VHO w/ electronic ballests. I recently went with VHO and I don't think you would be sorry. The color and intensity is great and you don't have all the baggage that comes with MH. Just my 2 cents.