Type of Light

[chaplain]

I am setting up a new tank (my first salt water tank). And I am wondering about what type of lighting is the best. I have read about flourescent, and metal halide, but I cann't determine which is the best for me. My tank will be a 50 gallon tank, with live rock, inverts, a few fish, and maybe some corals. Please help me. Another note is that I want to be as economical as possible.

 

[adrian]

Your lighting will depend on what types of coral you want to keep...?

 

[nm reef]

adron is absolutely right....best advise I could give is firstdecide what type coral and/or fish etc you want....then research the lighting requirements for those creatures.......I use a combination of pc lighting and vho lighting on a 55 gal that has 100 lbs lr........inverts a few fish and primarily LPS corals.....and I'm very pleased with my reef

 

[burnnspy]

Check out the Reef Basics page at my website, it has a good recommendation on lighting.
But what corals you plan to keep in the most important factor in deciding what lights to buy.
Planning is the key and it will save you money by you not having to upgrade later when you get more advanced in the hobby.
BurnNSpy