Fixture for a 55g?

[imlocke]

I'm thinking of getting a 55g reef tank 48"L, what fixture for T5's would i wanna be putting over it to be keeping frogspawns, rics, zoos, mushrooms, and such, NO sps.

I know the aquactinics is the best there is, which would be great for sps and clams, etc, but what can I get for just these corals for a little less I hope?

 

[shyland83]

you can get a TEK fixture with 4-54watt bulbs for 280 at reefgeek. Whatever you get, you want to make sure it has individual reflectors for each bulb. If you have a canopy you could use a retrofit kit and save a little money. i got a retro kist from les at fishy inc for a decent price.

 

[tydtran]

For what you want to keep, current USA has a 48" T5 HO fixture that retails less than 200. doesn't have individual reflectors and not the best looking fixture but will work if you want to save a little money.

 

[imlocke]

eh, i wanna save money, but i don't wanna waste the money i spend either, and i've heard from everyone i need individual reflectors, still not sure if i want to invest in a 55g tank yet or not, I estimated $1200-1300 to set it up...so I'm not sure if i have the money or not ;x

 

[JamesV77]

I am sure you have heard this already...."Go Bigger if you have the room" I have a 55 Gal in wall setup with fish room behind in basement and wish I put up a 90 or so.(I have the room.lol)
Anyway my 55 has the aquacintics TX5 (with individual reflectors) 5 bulb 48" setup. Love it. I am not limited on what I can keep due to lighting restraints which is what I wanted once I learned more about the hobby and was ready to kep those more difficult corals. Good Luck! Here is my bulb arrangement as recommended by GrimReefer the lighting expert on this forum.

TX5 Series Aquactinics 48" 5 lamp T5 fixture = Price: $357.00 DIYReef (This was last years price)

Front
1. ATI Aquablue
2. UVL Super Actinic Dawn
3. UVL Aquasun
4. ATI Blue Plus Dawn
5. ATI Blue Plus

 

[fishome25]

good advice from james

 

[imlocke]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10804701#post10804701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JamesV77
I am sure you have heard this already...."Go Bigger if you have the room" I have a 55 Gal in wall setup with fish room behind in basement and wish I put up a 90 or so.(I have the room.lol)

I would love to have a bigger tank, but I don't have the space in my room for one, I'm trying to convince my parents into putting a larger one in the den of the house, but I think the largest I can fit in my room is a 55, and it would be a little tight. I already have a 14g BC in my room, so it would be a pretty full room. But I'm not sure I have the money to be spending on a 55g yet, I estimated about $1000+ for the final price to have it up and running, so I have to give it quite a bit more thought, for the moment just researching what I would need if I do decide to put it up