Amount of lighting for 55-75 gallons???

[bman2221]

I currently have a 55 gallon tank and am wondering what kind of lighting to get if I want to start getting some SPS? I was wondering if 520 watt VHOs are good enough, or should I go with MH. The VHOs are more in my price range($300 cheaper actually. Also when I upgrade it will probably be a 75 gallon, so will it be enough for that tank as well? Just wondering what some opinions were.

Thanks
Brian

 

[kakan]

Have you considered T5's I switched from a from VHO to an 4 bulb TEK Retro from reef geek. www.reefgeek.com 299.00$ Right in your price range

Since I switched my Acro's have been growing like crazy. Plus when you upgrade all you have to do is add two more bulbs.

HTH
Kakan

 

[bman2221]

I have 2x65 pc's, but from what I have been reading the popular opinion seems to be that you have to have MH. I was just wondering if this good enough or not? Right now I have green, orange, and blue rics and they seen to be doing fine. But SPS from what I have heard needs much more lighting than this.
-Brian

 

[bman2221]

I currently have 2x65 watt pc's, but all I really have in my tank are blue, green, and orange rics. They seem to be doing great, but from what I have read popular opinion is you must have MH for SPS. Are my lights ok? will the T5's do an even better job? Or should I go higher?

 

[bman2221]

Sorry I accidentally hit submit twice, because computer was moving slow.

 

[bman2221]

sorry about that first post showed it didn't go through for a minute before the next.

 

[bman2221]

sorry about all those messages I was having computer issues. Another question I have with those others is with clams (crocea's, etc.) do I have to have MH with those. I am pretty much clueless with lighting so I need as much help as possible.