help with 65 gallon reef lighting

[jennfinn1986]

Hello all. I have a 65g fowlr. 90 lbs lr. Dimensions are 12.75"W x 48.5"L x 25" H. I want to start adding corals. Soft and lps maybe someday sps but not for now. I have a sloarmax t5ho 54w×2 fixture. I cant spend a fortune. Im wondering how many t5 lights ill need to add. Can 1 run 4 or do i need 6. And if anyone has a brand they suggest. I could do leds but i think they r way more expensive. I dont want to have to upgrade again so any help will be appreciated.

 

[pisanoal]

You could get away with 4 if it was not very high above the tank and you kept lower light corals. Maybe some medium light LPS up high.

 

[jennfinn1986]

Would 6 having 6 help?

 

[luvreefs23]

I'd do 6, you could do 2 bulbs as kinda a sunrise and have the other 4 turn on a couple hours later. Fun to see corals in different intensities and colors. If you had a canopy then LET has some very nice retrofit kits and they even have a model line with dimmable ballasts for like 15$ more than standard ballast but you'd need a controller.

 

[Ron Reefman]

4 bulbs can work for easy corals, 6 would be better AND allow you to move to sps when you are ready to try it without changing the fixture a second time. Especially if the cost isn't an issue.