Lighting for a 55gal?

Ruman · 03/27/2006, 12:04 PM

I am new to saltwater. I am successfully keeping fish now and want to put some anemonies and a few corals in as well. I have the basic cheap fluorescent that came with the "all in one" kit of the 55gal. Will this work for at least anemonies or should I upgrade to something else? If I should upgrade, what are my options? I am not worried about creating a master reef as I am more intrigued with the fish but would like a lot better backdrop than plain brown rock.

Thanks!
Chase

2fewtanks · 03/27/2006, 12:13 PM

That light won't work for an anenome mh or strong t5

reefgeek84 · 03/27/2006, 12:32 PM

Yeah lighting needs to be upgraded. I would at least recommend t-5's.

college429 · 03/27/2006, 01:42 PM

I have a 55 reef. I run two 175w MH and a 55 watt pc actinit.

psimitry · 03/27/2006, 02:10 PM

I just went with a 4x 54W T5HO setup for my 55G setup. I think that at that level, it should be fine for anenomes and what not.

Just make sure you don't get an anenome until you've had at least 6 months of stability on a reef platform (i.e. live rock, higher intensity lighting, etc).

swenard · 03/27/2006, 06:31 PM

I have been very successful keeping an Anemone and corals under T5's and would recommend them.

03/27/2006, 12:04 PM	#1
Ruman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 29	Lighting for a 55gal? I am new to saltwater. I am successfully keeping fish now and want to put some anemonies and a few corals in as well. I have the basic cheap fluorescent that came with the "all in one" kit of the 55gal. Will this work for at least anemonies or should I upgrade to something else? If I should upgrade, what are my options? I am not worried about creating a master reef as I am more intrigued with the fish but would like a lot better backdrop than plain brown rock. Thanks! Chase __________________ Chase Gochnauer Des Moines, IA Current Tank Info: 55gal FOWLR

03/27/2006, 01:42 PM	#4
college429 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 875	I have a 55. I have a 55 reef. I run two 175w MH and a 55 watt pc actinit. __________________ college429

03/27/2006, 06:31 PM	#6
swenard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Georgetown (GTA, Ontario Posts: 237	I have been very successful keeping an Anemone and corals under T5's and would recommend them. __________________ 55G, and 3.5 wanting to upgrade to custom 270G

03/27/2006, 12:13 PM	#2
2fewtanks Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester,NH Posts: 9	That light won't work for an anenome mh or strong t5

03/27/2006, 12:32 PM	#3
reefgeek84 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portlan, OR Posts: 997	Yeah lighting needs to be upgraded. I would at least recommend t-5's.

03/27/2006, 02:10 PM	#5
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	I just went with a 4x 54W T5HO setup for my 55G setup. I think that at that level, it should be fine for anenomes and what not. Just make sure you don't get an anenome until you've had at least 6 months of stability on a reef platform (i.e. live rock, higher intensity lighting, etc).