Lighting for New Tank

sbudke1 · 11/15/2006, 03:03 PM

I recently have converted my tank from brackish to saltwater. My plans for now are to keep it fowlr...If I want to go reef later I'll probably get a bigger tank and still keep this one fowlr. My tank is 55 gallons, and my current lighting is split into 2 hooods over the top w/ 1 50/50 6500k flourescent bulb each. I'd like to be able to grow all the different coralline colors and have my the fish look optimal as well. I rushed into getting a skimmer (skilter...another story) so I want to make sure to make a better decision about the lighting.

What kind of lighting do you recommend? and if I wanted to dabble w/ some easier corals in the fowlr tank would I be able to w/ it? Cost is a bit of an issue, so if anyone has a good recommendation I would greatly appreciate it.

lessthanlights · 11/16/2006, 12:10 AM

T5s are becoming very popular! Check out the T5 thread for more info. I would consider a 4x54watt fixture. You could light just two bulbs at the moment and then get two more if you decide a reef is what you want. I like Tek but there are several brands out there- just make sure to get good reflectors.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=939236
https://www.reefgeek.com/products/ca...ng/104192.html

11/15/2006, 03:03 PM	#1
sbudke1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 9	Lighting for New Tank I recently have converted my tank from brackish to saltwater. My plans for now are to keep it fowlr...If I want to go reef later I'll probably get a bigger tank and still keep this one fowlr. My tank is 55 gallons, and my current lighting is split into 2 hooods over the top w/ 1 50/50 6500k flourescent bulb each. I'd like to be able to grow all the different coralline colors and have my the fish look optimal as well. I rushed into getting a skimmer (skilter...another story) so I want to make sure to make a better decision about the lighting. What kind of lighting do you recommend? and if I wanted to dabble w/ some easier corals in the fowlr tank would I be able to w/ it? Cost is a bit of an issue, so if anyone has a good recommendation I would greatly appreciate it.

11/16/2006, 12:10 AM	#2
lessthanlights Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Duluth, MN Posts: 606	T5s are becoming very popular! Check out the T5 thread for more info. I would consider a 4x54watt fixture. You could light just two bulbs at the moment and then get two more if you decide a reef is what you want. I like Tek but there are several brands out there- just make sure to get good reflectors. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=939236 https://www.reefgeek.com/products/ca...ng/104192.html