Lighting Requirements

[bbrook]

Hi everyone,
I have really enjoyed reading the posting on this BB for the last several months since I found it. I respect all the opinions I have read. Now I need some opinions for the following:
Current set up: 55 F/O, 1/2" crushed coral bed, decorative coral, yellow tang, coral beauty, 4 damsels (they behave very well), coral banded shrimp, 2 hermits, 2 turbos. Readings all good, w/d filter with rio 2100.
My lighting is currently a single NO 40W (fine for now). However, I would like to get some live rock and possibly some corals down the road. I don't think I want much fancy at this point. Low light corals such as mushrooms, etc would be fine.
As I understand from reading and talking, my single 40 NO is not sufficient for this. MY LFS suggested a double NO with on 50/50 and one broad spectrum. Is this sufficient to keep the live rock flurshing? If not, what is the minimum? Would 2 VHO's be better? Required?
I do not want to spend to much upgrading the 50 gal. b/c I hope in several years to upgrade to a bigger tank and would feel I did not get much use out of a big lighting upgrade now.
If I went with 2 NO's what kind of corals could I keep besides mushrooms?
If I went with 2 VHO's what kind of corals could I keep?
I've read so much my head is spinning. Advice please.

 

[silversides]

I have a 30 gal with a single 40 w light and added some live rock about 2 weeks ago and it still seems to be ok. But your right I have read alot about lights cause I just got a new 125 Gal tank and they seem to contradict each other.(still have not gotten lights for the new tank yet)
Mike

 

[jtoliver]

Get an Ice Cap 660 and endcap kit. Use it on this tank and when you upgrade you can just move it over. That way you can keep anything you want.

 

[clownfish]

The idea of 2 50/50 NO bulbs is enough for shrooms but not much else. You will want other corals too. I would say to get maybe a 4x96 PC or 2 14K 175w MH or maybe 4 VHO bulbs. If you get a lot of light to begin with, then you won't have to upgrade later. I will use a 4x96 on my future 70 reef.

 

[bbrook]

I have read that MH puts out a lot of heat. What about PC's? What is the advantage of 4x96 PC's vs. 4 VHO's at 110 each? Does either have more heat associated?
What is the advantages of Icecap ballasts for the VHO's? Everyone recommends them but I don't know much about them.
Right now I have a two panel glass top with the single 40W NO sitting on top of the back panel. I assume with either set up I will have to buy or build a new hood. Any advice?