Reef Lighting Question

[wesbailey87]

Hello All,

I just set up my new 55 gallon (48" x 13" x 21") future reef tank and have a question for my lighting. I purchased the tank off of craigslist and it came with two 54 watt Wave Point daylight and two 54 watt actinic T5 bulbs and two Yo Neng 120V ballasts. I would like to be able to keep all kinds of corals, but will be starting out with soft corals. The guy I purchased from said he kept clams under the lights and they did very well. I have had a FOWLR tank before, but this is my first go with a reef. My question is , "Will this lighting be sufficient for coral?".

If not can someone please point me in the right direction. I have been trying to research and it seems that there are so many different choices and i want to do this right. :headwally: I would prefer to stay away from metal halides due to the heat and energy cost.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jstdv8]

Ive got a 6x 54w T-5 on my 120 and it grows corals just fine.
I haven't tried clams but i have a bunch or softies on the bottom, LPS in the middle and a couple of SPS at the top and all are doing just fine.

I would think a 4 bulb over a 55 would be sufficient to do the same.
Did he mention how old the bulbs are? And what brand of bulbs?
That will make a difference.

 

[wesbailey87]

he did not, but I am going to purchase new bulbs today. The bulb brand is Wave Point.