Need Advice With Lights For a 55G!

artemk

artemk

Member
I am looking around the internet to find some good deals on a T5 Fixture, and I find myself reading a bunch of mixed reviews about brands.
Here is my dilemma, I am not 100% positive if I want to have corals and such later down the road when my tank gets established, but I also dont want to get lights that wouldnt be good for corals if I do decide to have them later down the road.
What are some good lights that I could get? Brands? Also, I noticed that there are 2 and 4 bulb fixtures. I know that its obvious that the 4 bulb produces more light, but how much more important are the 4 bulb one vs the 2? Or can 2 be enough?
Thanks!
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Why not get a linkable fixture that you can add on to later. This way if you want to go to corals it will be an option. Also, it is an economical way since you will only be adding the light that you need. Flower has these fixtures and perhaps she will chime in with the name of the fixture.
 
artemk

artemk

Member
Yea I am very new to this hobby, so I wasnt even aware of linkable fixtures! Yes hopefully she reads this post and gives some advice! Thanks for a quick reply!
 
yogoshio

yogoshio

Member
I just bought a 55 gallon system, was in the exact same situation as yourslef, and found an amazing light online. I know we can't post links to competitors, but I can post a link to another forum I think? lol, anyway, if they take it down I understand, but I found this, which can definitely do softies, lps, and sps near the surface. If you google 'New 48" 260W PL Aquarium Light Reef Marine Fish Tank Hood Light' it will be the first listing. It works great, can be set on 3 different timers, sits high enough above the tank and has fans, so overheating is not an issue, and opens up your coral options without breaking the bank. Here's the pic of it at least:
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yogoshio http:///t/388944/need-advice-with-lights-for-a-55g#post_3433577
I just bought a 55 gallon system, was in the exact same situation as yourslef, and found an amazing light online. I know we can't post links to competitors, but I can post a link to another forum I think? lol, anyway, if they take it down I understand, but I found this, which can definitely do softies, lps, and sps near the surface. If you google 'New 48" 260W PL Aquarium Light Reef Marine Fish Tank Hood Light' it will be the first listing. It works great, can be set on 3 different timers, sits high enough above the tank and has fans, so overheating is not an issue, and opens up your coral options without breaking the bank. Here's the pic of it at least:
It isn't that great of a light. Ther linkable lights at least can be upgraded, that's a stand alone unit and soft coral is all that it will keep. You will be upgrading within the year if you purchased that light and you want any LPS or SPS coral at all.
 
artemk

artemk

Member
Thanks for the feedback. I looked at that light when I was researching and alot of people didn't like it because of poor quality. Flower, what type do you have? I would like tO take a look
 
yogoshio

yogoshio

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/388944/need-advice-with-lights-for-a-55g#post_3433618
It isn't that great of a light. Ther linkable lights at least can be upgraded, that's a stand alone unit and soft coral is all that it will keep. You will be upgrading within the year if you purchased that light and you want any LPS or SPS coral at all.
I know many people in my area that keep lps under them with very heavy growth actually. And especially for the price point, it's amazing.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I would try to go with T5HO - the set that FLower has is the same as mine they are Aquatic Life - like Gemmy said you can buy one at a time they bolt together to make a real nice set. I have three of these on my 65 reef - total of 6 bulbs.
 
artemk

artemk

Member
The 4 bulb Aquatic Life is a bit of a $$$ tag. Where can I find the linkable fixture that you guys are talking about?? I am not having luck (maybe I am not looking right)
 
yogoshio

yogoshio

Member
The linkable fixtures can be found in a lot of places, but I'm telling you, many people use the 4 bulb set power compacts. Unless you want to do sps, then you'll need more, but you'll get great growth out of softies and lps no problem. And the linkale units are about $100 per set of two bulbs per link.
 
cipher43

cipher43

Member
I have a light similar to the one yogoshio is showing, although mine is a different brand, and i have been able to keep a Long tentacle anemone under it..... That being said i would go with the lights AL and Flower are talking about because it seems like my anemone as he gets bigger is moving on the rocks to get closer to the light. Ive also had a hard time keeping some ricordeas alive.
Also if i wasnt upgrading to a 120 and getting DIY LEDs I wish i would have gotten an expandable light so i could keep more things in my 30 I have the light on
 
artemk

artemk

Member
Just placed an order for the Linkable Aquatic Life ones! Hopefully they come soon! Thanks for all you advice guys!
 
red tiger

red tiger

Member
Hello,
I bought a 48" 4x54W T5 for $125 and I like it, Have no issues at all, Some people have had horror stories. I like mine and recently purchased a 24" 4x24W T5 from the same brand for a 29 gallon LPS that i have in my bedroom, and they do a very good job!
In addition, a good communication with your LFS is crucial, If anything were to go wrong with the fixture or ballast, they would swap it with one from theirs and they deal with the warranty issues, So for me, it was beneficial buying the fixture at a low price!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by artemK http:///t/388944/need-advice-with-lights-for-a-55g#post_3433535
I am looking around the internet to find some good deals on a T5 Fixture, and I find myself reading a bunch of mixed reviews about brands.
Here is my dilemma, I am not 100% positive if I want to have corals and such later down the road when my tank gets established, but I also dont want to get lights that wouldnt be good for corals if I do decide to have them later down the road.
What are some good lights that I could get? Brands? Also, I noticed that there are 2 and 4 bulb fixtures. I know that its obvious that the 4 bulb produces more light, but how much more important are the 4 bulb one vs the 2? Or can 2 be enough?
Thanks!
I use the linkable T5HO...Marine Depot sells each Aquaticlife 48" unit for $135.00, it links up to 3 units. Other places sell the exact same unit for up to $170.00 Each unit has 1 10K bulb and 1 actinic...if you link 2 units swap out the 10K from one and replace with another 10K or move the actinic bulbs together.
With 1 unit it's good enough for soft corals, 2 and you can keep everything but the most light needy corals, and with 3 units you can keep anything, even an anemone. Even after you hooked up all three units the price is only $405.00, the price of a good power compact unit. The lights run cool and IMO the best way to upgrade without braking the bank, and they are really nice looking lights.
 
yogoshio

yogoshio

Member
The downfall with the linkable units is you can barely fir more than two units over the tank if you have any plumbing coming off the back. They are nice that you can always add more, but 55 gallon tanks just aren't that wide, lol.
 
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