Lighting on a 55 Reef tank

[akelly310]

Are these good lamps if I wanna run t5 over my 55 gallon tank. Could I get away with 2 lamps or stick to 4?

http://www.amazon.com/Light-4lamps-...UTF8&qid=1410891663&sr=8-1&keywords=4+lamp+t5

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-FLT...UTF8&qid=1410891707&sr=8-3&keywords=4+lamp+t5

If neither seem like a good option, could someone send me link as to what i should be looking for in a product.

Thanks for your time.

 

[StaySalty]

I'm a newb when it comes to t5 lighting. But I've heard the only fixtures you really wanna get are the ATI, TEK(if you can still find one), or Aquatic Life. Again, I'm not sure but it doesn't seem like those fixtures would cut it. And I would also stick to a 4 bulb fixture as opposed to a 2 bulb fixture.

 

[akelly310]

Thanks, anyone else got any suggestions?

 

[gone fishin]

If you are just doing fish get any old aquarium stock light. Those you have listed would not grow much other than algae most likely. There is more to the fixture than just bulbs. The reflectors, ballasts and design for a wet humid environment all come into play. The fixtures listed above are all good units. depending on what you want I would look into a 4 bulb at the minimum.

 

[Mcgeezer]

If your going to run a reef....4 bulbs is the minimum. Seriously consider upgrading the bulbs to ATI's or Giesemann

On a fish only tank, any regular light will work

 

[scott71]

4 bulb will work for most coral if your tank is around 18" deep. Just get good quality lamps ATI.

 

[akelly310]

Is this more of what you guys mean? I guess my real question is what specifications of a lighting fixture should i be looking for? Such as, how do i know if a particular fixture is capable of running the bulbs i need to grow coral? I hope these questions make sense

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife..._Fixtures-Coralife-ES08604-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

 

[MinnFish]

Lights are not to be taken lightly. NPI. Buy the best or DIY.