Reef Lighting question?

[jcsurfn]

How much wattage should you be looking for if I am looking for a retro kit for a 55 gal. for reef lighting?
Is 4 X 55W to much?
Also what might be a good retro kit?
Thank You

 

[josh]

Hi!
It will depend on what type of corals you want to keep. With those lights you will be able to keep softies and that bout it, ohh maybe and lps or two. But as for sps and clams that wouldn't be near enough.
email me and I will give you some places to check out for retro kits.
jrt45@hotmail.com

 

[jcsurfn]

How much wattage would anyone suggest? So I would be able to get most anything I want in the future.
Also does anyone have any good links of places to look?
How about JBJ are they pretty good?
Thank You

 

[jcsurfn]

This is going under a canopy. That is why I am looking for a retro kit. I nned something that does not have the ballast inside it so it does not get hot under the canopy. If anyone has any other suggestions that would be cool.
Thank You

 

[tucker3940]

If you really want to be able to keep "most anything" then you might want to consider 4 VHO's.
4x110
This would probably let you keep almost anything your water parameters would support.

 

[shadow678]

I agree with Tucker. An IceCap 660 ballast running 4 48" URI bulbs at 110watts each will give you enough light to keep just about anything you want, and you can place everything in your canopy any way you wish. It will also run very efficient and much cooler than MH lighting. HTH

 

[jcsurfn]

Well basically I just want to have live rock with an Anemone and some different corals. The people at my LFS said that the JBJ 4 X 55 watts would be plenty.
What does everyone think? Is it?

 

[josh]

That would be fine for most all softies and maybe a bublble tip anemome. However, I would just save the extra money and get a retro kit... hellolights.com is generally well thought of and is pretty cheap as well. I am not sure is SWF.com sell lights but I am sure they would be a good place as well.
However, that won't be nearly enough light for most sps and clams... maybe a digitata sp.
Anyways, there ya go.