What lights to use???

[conor.jacobs17]

Hi, i have a 55 gal. tank with a 2 bulb ocean life t5 light fixture, i have a few corals in there now but i want to upgrade my lights, what kind and watt lights should i get???

 

[Jmnazari]

Depends on your budget, what corals you'd like to keep, and what you find pleasing to your eye. Is your fixture a 48" ? T5 are the cheapest on the front end, but replacing bulbs every 8 months, and then one day upgrading may not be cost savy. Metal halides are expensive up front, but are pleasing to the eye and you can keep a wide range of corals. LEDs are pretty expensive now, but very reliable, cool operating temp, wide range of colors and ability to keep corals.

 

[victornator333]

a metal halide fixture is gonna run you quite a lot because your tank is so long. you will need 2 MH lamps and end up replacing those bulbs every 6 months. MH is nice, but i feel that using them over a skinny tank (ie a 55) isnt efficient.

for that size and shape tank, T5 would be great. just look at all the sps tanks that are T5.

If you are good with diy, i would recommend a t5/led combo so you get the shimmer effect as well

 

[fishaholic911]

If you are good with diy, i would recommend a t5/led combo so you get the shimmer effect as well

I agree, also I have a 48" current Trueluman led strip if you are interested. I would use it but my tank is only 36"