New bulbs for strip lights?

[justin50]

Well i've been reading quite a bit and finally decided to post. I'm a newb at the SW hobby and had a question about my lights. I got a 56g corner bowfront from a friend a while back and it is currently cycling. I've had it running for about 5 weeks now and have everything but fish. I've got a few pounds of just standard base rock in it now but am planning on putting in live rock down the road. My question is the lights that it came with are just standard flouresent and i am wanting to upgrade, I will eventually put some basic soft corals in there so i want something i won't have to change down the road. What lights can i use with the strip that i have (30in. strip)? Can i just change the ballasts and the bulbs and put in some T-5? Or what other options do i have? Any help is appreciated.

 

[justin50]

Any suggestions?

 

[wangotango]

Welcome to the boards

.
The only bulbs that will work in the stock fluorescent hoods are standard output fluorescents. If you want to upgrade to reef lighting, you need to buy a whole new unit.
Personally I'm a big fan of T5, but with a corner tank it's hard to find a decent unit that will fit over the space and give you the lighting you want. I'd go with a halide pendant in your case; a 175w should be fine.
-Justin