What marine life would this light setup support?

[mlwoods007]

if i puchased a T5 8x54 light fixture, what types of marine life would i be able to support? anenomes, mushrooms, coral, etc.
or would it be easier to tell me what life forms it wouldn't be able to support?
Thanks- Mike

 

[vlondi]

You should be able to keep a good variety of corals. Try mostly softies (shrooms, etc.) for a while; if you don't upgrade lighting you can probably keep a few of the lower-end higher light coral if you water quality is really good.
In my opinion you should be able to keep an anenome with that lighting. I wouldn't go for one of the expensive, high demand ones. Remember too that with lower lighting anenomes will lose some of their color and their life spans are shortened, sometimes considerably. I would really wait (personally), but I'm sure it can be done.
With that lighting you should be able to find a few creatures that you can be satisfied with. If not, upgrade your lighting eventually. I currently have 4x55watt PC but am already planning on 2x175watt MHs with some PC actinics; all this and my tank just finished cycling yesterday!

 

[mlwoods007]

ya i hear ya. my tank is only two weeks into it's cycle and ive already put $1100 into it. I started off sayin oh ill be happy with just this and that, but it seems every weekend i go buy something else. My roomates think I'm crazy but my tank is going to blow the hell out of their little weak ass salt water setups. hahah. i just hope my books won't be nearly as much this quarter as they were this last one. im defin. addicted.
oh, and you said i should be able to keep an anenome. would that be one that would host a clown cuz thats all i really want.
do you know where i could get a decent set of pc's for under 350? I can't really afford anything more than that.
Thanks alot - Mike