Help with lighting

lkhoffmam27 · 10/22/2013, 11:33 AM

Hey guys I was looking for a little advice about lighting. I have a 55 gallon tank that is 48 inches long and I believe 20 inches deep. Its long tall and kinda thin. Currently I have two t5 15w lights on it that have worked fine but dont look that good imo.

I am wanting to start getting some corals but want to upgrade my lighting first. I wanted to switch to LEDs but dont really know anything about them. What are some good brands? I would like lights that come with a mount so I dont have to create one myself.

Also how many watts should I have? I want to start with maybe some zoas and an anemone but I dont want to be limited to what I can get in the future.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

What do you guys think of this: http://www.ecoxotic.com/panorama-marine-led-system.html

Mark Bianco · 10/22/2013, 12:16 PM

With the fixture you linked you will be limited to the type of corals you can keep. More expensive but take a look at this. http://www.reefbreeders.com/photon48.html You could get by with the value series but they are modular and you would have to hang them but the difference in price may make you change your mind, 358.00 vrs 499.00 Another thing you lose with the value fixture to be able to control them except via the manual dimmers on the light.

Mark

10/22/2013, 11:33 AM	#1
lkhoffmam27 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 8	Help with lighting Hey guys I was looking for a little advice about lighting. I have a 55 gallon tank that is 48 inches long and I believe 20 inches deep. Its long tall and kinda thin. Currently I have two t5 15w lights on it that have worked fine but dont look that good imo. I am wanting to start getting some corals but want to upgrade my lighting first. I wanted to switch to LEDs but dont really know anything about them. What are some good brands? I would like lights that come with a mount so I dont have to create one myself. Also how many watts should I have? I want to start with maybe some zoas and an anemone but I dont want to be limited to what I can get in the future. Any advice would be much appreciated! What do you guys think of this: http://www.ecoxotic.com/panorama-marine-led-system.html

10/22/2013, 12:16 PM	#2
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	With the fixture you linked you will be limited to the type of corals you can keep. More expensive but take a look at this. http://www.reefbreeders.com/photon48.html You could get by with the value series but they are modular and you would have to hang them but the difference in price may make you change your mind, 358.00 vrs 499.00 Another thing you lose with the value fixture to be able to control them except via the manual dimmers on the light. Mark