Lighting Help

[cousenfl]

I have a 55G tank that I am starting back up. I am going to start it as FOLR tank but I am going to eventually convert to a reef tank as funds allow. I currently have a CF fixture w/4 65w 22" bulbs & moon light. I need to replace the bulbs now and would like to start with bulbs that don't need to be replaced as I start to enter corals later. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[nycbob]

all bulbs need to replaced sooner or later. cf and t5 bulbs need to be changed every 12-18 months, while mh bulbs on average 9-12 months. if u r keeping corals in the future, get either t5 with ind. reflectors or mh. these lighting will allow u to keep whatever corals u desire. if u r the diy or hv some extra $$, do some research on the led lighting.

 

[cousenfl]

I currently don't have the funds to replace the CF fixture. I was wondering if I should replace all 4 65w CF with 10000K bulbs and if that would allow me to keep soft corals or should I use some combination of bulbs.