Lighting a 55 gal

[d9sccr]

Hey everyone...so here's my situation. My gf is wanting to get a 55g tank and make it a reef tank. She wants to be able to keep clams, sps, anemones, whatever she wants. I am looking for a lighting system that will "sit" on top of the aquarium. I do not want it to hang, and more than likely it will be pre-made. Anyone's input on brands and schemes would be appreciated...thanks.

 

[GSMguy]

aquatinics tx5

 

[d9sccr]

where can i find those at?

 

[pressthebutton]

the tek t5 is well built, stylish, and can be mounted on legs.

works good and bright on my 55.

 

[eddie c]

you can find them here
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/ca...8_111&osCsid=489faaeb2b4f8fef415cef2f2ef167b8

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9838931#post9838931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pressthebutton
the tek t5 is well built, stylish, and can be mounted on legs.

works good and bright on my 55.

the tek is fine but for basicly the same money the aquatinics is built better, better reflectors,doesnt need legs saving money and puts out much more PAR.

 

[GSMguy]

Aquactinics 36" TX5 Series
[TX53600]
$322.00

 

[d9sccr]

the tank will be 48" long...also this will work to keep all of the above mentioned items, right? I thought I would probably need MH.

 

[GSMguy]

you would need two halides and some vho or t5 actinic for the sunrise sunset lighting.


the 5 bulb 48 inch aquatinics will keep clams sps and anything else you would want

 

[GSMguy]

also the aquatinics is the only fixture to sit directly on the aquarium without adding any heat to the tank. this will save you money on cooling.

 

[SoonerReefer]

Just make sure the tank is reef ready or if its not your gonna have to have some sort of support to keep the lights above the tank so you can have room for a hang on skimmer,heater,power heads or whatever else you will have.
Since my 2 55s are not reef ready I added legs to my Tek light but had to build a support for my VHO hood ,the dimensions on a 55 make it hard to add a light hood that has the same foot print,thus covering up the whole opening of your tank..

Donny

 

[d9sccr]

by reef ready I am assuming that you mean drilled w/ an overflow, right?

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9839935#post9839935 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d9sccr
by reef ready I am assuming that you mean drilled w/ an overflow, right?

yes

 

[d9sccr]

okay..cool..that's taken care of...I really appreciate the help...it's really nice being able to get the answers I need...GSMguy..I know that you are into breeding clowns, I was wondering, if I move a pair of false percs into this 55g vs. my 12 g aquapod if they would be more likely to spawn...

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9839976#post9839976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d9sccr
okay..cool..that's taken care of...I really appreciate the help...it's really nice being able to get the answers I need...GSMguy..I know that you are into breeding clowns, I was wondering, if I move a pair of false percs into this 55g vs. my 12 g aquapod if they would be more likely to spawn...

no they would rather be alone

i assume in a a 55 there would be tankmates and tankmates make them less likely.

best thing to do would be put the 12 on a light timer get out all the other fish and leave them alone for as long as possible.

then you can have another pair in the other tank

 

[d9sccr]

sorry, I was re-reading the post when I realized that something was a little unclear..the light should not be "sitting" directly on the tank...we would like to have it on legs, pegs, whatever you call it...we just do not want it hanging from the ceiling as the ceiling is angled(plus I do not think she'd be thrilled with drilling holes in it)..

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9840018#post9840018 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d9sccr
sorry, I was re-reading the post when I realized that something was a little unclear..the light should not be "sitting" directly on the tank...we would like to have it on legs, pegs, whatever you call it...we just do not want it hanging from the ceiling as the ceiling is angled(plus I do not think she'd be thrilled with drilling holes in it)..

the aquatinics is designed to sit on the tank you can pay extra for the legs if you want

the tek would need to pay extra for the legs as well but you cant run it without the legs.

 

[d9sccr]

okay...I'll talk to her about it and see what she thinks...

 

[d9sccr]

just to double check, five t5s will be okay to keep everything, right? If so, which bulbs should I get; 11k, pure actinic, etc..

 

[GSMguy]

5 bulb yes would be enough for sps clams(on the sand.) and anemones.

bulb combos are tricky what kind of look do you want it can be more blue than a 20k halide or more yellow than a 10k or anwhere in the middle
what look does she want

i assume its a bright blue (thats what my girl likes) that will bring out the colors of the corals?

if so i would say 2x uv superactinic 2xaquablue and if you want a white look one GE 6500 or ati aquasun. if you want a blue look one Geismman blue+ there are 100s of bulb combos.