T5 vs VHO vs PC vs Metal Halide Vs Moon Lights

You'll get the most light out of a metal halide. The spectrum is the key for growth/color. The closer the kelvin rating to 10k(white) or lower, the faster they USUALLY grow, the closer to 20k(blue), the better color they USUALLY have. Metal halides can get quite hot and they use up a lot more electricity than others. T5's are known to be the cheapest amount of quality light for the electric cost.

If you're going to grow only soft corals, PC's are acceptable, but T5's would be a lot better. However, most people usually end up upgrading and getting more corals with advanced lighting needs, so you should get the best light the first time.

Moon lights encourage spawning and give a better viewing experience at night. They can be setup for cheap and they are definitely worth it in my opinion.

There is no "perfect light" and you're going to have to a lot of research before deciding. There are a never ending supply of opinions on the subject, good luck!

Adam

 

I have t5s and growth is great energy consumption is low...I would go with these or halides...and like Adam said do some research to see what you like...if it is just softies you have a a few more options to choose from...check out some threads on reef central too...good luck

 

For most soft corals, your lighting requirements are not going to be tremendous. Softies generally grow very fast under decent conditions. I'd go with 4 T5 bulbs and just pick a color spectrum that you think looks good. If you were doing LPS or SPS you'd have to give it a bit more thought, but again, softies are not as picky.

Halides would be total overkill for a softie tank, but they would still look the best IMO.

-JB

 

Yep...I built my canopy and put the retro fit t5s on there...I like being able to put them exactly how you want them...you also have to mount your ballast with the retro kit where the premade light set ups usually have the ballast inside

 

Yep...I built my canopy and put the retro fit t5s on there...I like being able to put them exactly how you want them...you also have to mount your ballast with the retro kit where the premade light set ups usually have the ballast inside

 

For what you have. I would say that a Premade Fixture with T5's would work the best for you. A retro fit set up would require you to build a canopy, as to were a fixture would just sit on top of the tank. T5's are much much cheaper to run on the electric bill then most other options.
I know that JB had ordered a T5 fixture, that was a good price, can't remember where he got it, but might want to PM him for the website, at least worth looking into.
Troy

 

2-250w M/H will be plenty for a 55g, along with the T-5s. 

 

3 to 10 watts per gallon...I am at 5 right now and things are going well...all t5

 

I think 2 MH (250 or 400) and 4 T5H0 is way more light than you need over a 55 and will only cause your power bill to go up. This is especially true if you are only growing softies... 4 T5's (or even 2 or 3) would be a better choice. The other problem you're going to have is fitting that much lighting over a 55. You might be able to do it, but you're going to have to be very care with your canopy design. Last but not least, plan to buy a chiller because you're going to need it. That much wattage is going to have a huge impact on the tank temp in a 55.

As a point of reference, I only run 3 250W metal halides over my 125 SPS tank. I do have some T5's but I don't run them at the same time as the halides.

Good luck.

-JB

 

If that is the lighting set up you would like to have. I would strongly recommend upgrading tank to atleast a 75g tank with overflows. Then you can add a sump to help control the temp. I know that its your tank and you set it up the way you want. We are just trying to keep you from having trouble in the future. I have a 180g display with 3 250w & 4 96w PC's, i also have another 100g in sump/frag/fug. I still have temp problems

 

I have a 4 x 54 watt T5 fixture over my 75 gallon and the way I have it mounted with the standard mounting legs it is too much for some of my mushrooms, even at the bottom of the tank. A T5 fixture with individual reflectors is plenty for soft corals.

 

i agree with 2, 3, or 4 T5's, plenty of wattage per gallon for what you are going for...how tall is your canopy going to be??...my bulbs are about 6.5 inches from my water line...during the summer i have heat issues and actually ran the fans 24/7 and tank was still too hot during the day but just right during the night...during the winter my fans are never turned on...i like the idea with inward and outward blowing fans...both of mine are blowing in but the back of my canopy is totally open and air escapes back there...i have thought about turning one of the fans around so i would have more of a stright shot of air going across the top but havent done it...anybody think this would be better???...also your question about retro kits and price, i was working at petland at the time and got an awesome discount so it was almost 50% off when everything was done, i am not sure how much the premade light fixture would have been... i love discussions when so many people add their input...life as a fish tank nerd

 

why not buy one of these off ebay cheaper and will work perfect with out temp issues

http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Nova-Extreme-4x54-watt-T5-HO-10K-460nm-Model-1122B_W0QQitemZ280394910531QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4148d6cb43&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-NovaExtreme-Pro-6x54-watt-T5-HO-Model-1081B-W-SLR_W0QQitemZ280394903240QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4148d6aec8&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14