Need some help with lighting

spartan78

Member
So I have a 55 gallon. The demensions are 48 in. long, 18 in. tall, and 12 in. wide. I have a wet/dry filter with a protein skimmer and a sump full of rock rubble. Right now I have a Maxi-Jet 600 on the right side for flow, but I'm going to replace it with two Maxi-Jet 1200. I'll put one so that flow goes behind the rockwork and another so that it covers the top of the rock and the front sandbed. I was told that if i wanted softies and LPS I should go with t-5 lighting. Is this sounding ok? Lighting is were I get confused. I've heard I need 4 different bulbs, but what are they and why do I need them? Also could a RBTA be kept under t-5?
 

coraljunky

Active Member
12" tall or wide? 2 different bulbs, daylight and actinic. The anemone I wouldnt know(not my specialty).
 

beatlesfan

Member
Before we can assist you you must tell us how much you can spend on it. The absolute top of the line are Solaris LED's but they run about 2-3 thousand. What most people have are MH's anywhere from 300-1000 dollars for a fixture. I don't know alot about T5's but I think if you can spare the money you should just go with halide.
 

nycbob

Active Member
t-5 for lps and softies r fine. how many watts tho? i hv a gta in my 72 that is 20 inches deep w t-5. gta will find a spot they like anyway. make sure ur tank is at least 6 months old b4 adding a gta. i even hv sps w a 216w t-5.
 

beatlesfan

Member
The 4 different bulbs would probly be Daylight, compact fluorescant, 420mm white lunar lights, 480mm blue lunar lights.
 

coraljunky

Active Member
I have a few setups including pc, halides, and t5's. T5's look the best, imo. Like said below, is there a budget in mind?
 

spartan78

Member
Originally Posted by coraljunky
12" tall or wide? 2 different bulbs, daylight and actinic. The anemone I wouldnt know(not my specialty).
My bad, it's 18'' tall and 12'' wide, I'll fix that. Well first off which is generally cheaper, t-5 or MH? I guess around $250 to $300 is my budget. I don't have any interest at all in SPS, just softies, LPS and mabye an RBTA if I think i'm ready for one. That's why I think I would'nt really need MH, because isn't it mainly to maintain healthy SPS?
 

coraljunky

Active Member
Originally Posted by Spartan78
My bad, it's 18'' tall and 12'' wide, I'll fix that. Well first off which is generally cheaper, t-5 or MH? I guess around $250 to $300 is my budget. I don't have any interest at all in SPS, just softies, LPS and mabye an RBTA if I think i'm ready for one. That's why I think I would'nt really need MH, because isn't it mainly to maintain healthy SPS?
T5's cost way less and the bulbs last longer too. For that price range I'd say maybe Nova Extreme 4x54w. But google "aquatinics." Big cost diff but an awesome fixture. I've used Nova Extreme and never had a problem.
 

ibew

Active Member
Originally Posted by coraljunky
T5's cost way less and the bulbs last longer too. For that price range I'd say maybe Nova Extreme 4x54w. But google "aquatinics." Big cost diff but an awesome fixture. I've used Nova Extreme and never had a problem.
I agree for a 55long a nova is perfect
 

spartan78

Member
Ok so i've narrowed my choices down and i'm wondering if this is a good deal and if it will get the job done. Here's all the details.
T5 Nova Extreme
length: 48''
Daylight 10,000k: 2x54 watt
Actinic 460nm: 2x54 watt
Lunar Lights: 4
Independant Control: yes
Fans: yes
Dimensions: 48'' x 7.25'' x 2.6''
Total Watts: 216
And finally the price is $250
Remember I really have no interest in SPS at all. I'm going to go read the lighting part in the archives...
 

thangbom

Active Member
i can grow anything with a good t5ho set up.... and that ' Remember I really have no interest in SPS at all. I'm going to go read the lighting part in the archives...' well if that the case then you cant really have a nem... they need the same lighting.... the cheapest way imo is to get a get 2 48'' tek retrofit system for your tank.. you should be able to doo good with that... ( they are like $100 or soo each) to that 4 48'' t5ho bulbs.. then you buy the bulbs of course... get like 1 blue plus.. ati acetenics, aquasun and a maybe another blue plus...or even another aquasun...
imo nova extreem t5ho is a waste of $$$... low price but there is a catch ... suky reflectors.. and trust me.. you can tell teh difference in good and bad... the way i see it is with good reflectors you get free light which otherwise would be wasted ....
that would probally what i would do if i ever set-up a 55...
YzGyz
 
Top