55 gal lights

[chode]

i have a 55 gal tank and i would like to put some corals and probably an anemone in it. I probly wont put sps corals for now so what kind of lights should i get to save me money now. i no metal halides are good in the long run but i dont have money for one now
thanks

[Addicted]

Hi chode, we bought our metal halides off ebay, new for 250 watts 10k bulb for 120 dollars. We picked up 2 of them trying to think ahead and its not too much light on our 50 gallon at all! :) used you could probably find good deals on the forums also. Definatly worth saving for IMO.

[chode]

thanks, ill look for some cause thats a pretty good deal, but do you think that vho or compact flouresent would work also for no sps corals.

[chode]

i found a pc hood 4x55 watts for 70 bux new on ebay, i also found a dual 175 watt mh including bulbs,ballest, etc. would the pc's work for a reef tank or should i just go ahead and get the mh. thanks

[chode]

also if i got the dual 175 watt mh would i need vho or pc to run atinics or do they have mh bulds that will work. and if i get the mh could i have sps and clams. thanks alot

chode, see the post I made on bull32's "lighting" thread. I left a ton of info in that thread that would probably help you out a lot. You both seem to have almost the same exact situation.

As for your last reply...unless you run 14,000K or better bulbs and want to run them 10 hours or so a day, then yes you will need PC od VHO actinic lights in conjunction with halides. I personanly prefer the VHO tubes to PC. Admittedly this is just a biased preference.

Were it my tank, I would run 2 x 110 46.5 inch VHO tubes (Actinic) and 2 x 175 watt 10,000K or 12,000K bulbs. If there is a chance you will go to a bigger tank....I would favor the 250 watt Halides as the cost difference between the two equipment wise is only about 20.00 buck or so a fixture and bulb wise only about 10.00 bucks. This will allow you to upgrade to a 90 gallon plus tank in style. Just something to think about.......

[chode]

Imaexpat2 if i got the vho's wut corals or anemones could i put in my tank until i decided to get the mh. thanks again

[MikeS]

anemones need LOTS of light......and I'd hold off on them until your tank is more established and stable....

Mike

Sorry but I got to side with Mike on this one. Anenomes are tough to keep for extended periods of time even in mature tanks with excellent light and water. Thier longevity is increasing as reefers are doing much better at keeping them, but they are still tough. There are a few that fair better than others though.

Many SPS corals could be kept reasonably well, if placed higher up in the tank. They wont hold thier colors quiet as well and wont grow quiet as fast, but will live none the less. Some corals I would suggest are Pavona, Blue Ridge Coral, Elegance Corals, Candy Cane corals, Torch corals and just about any of the Softies. These could make for a nice tank to be sure. You could even possibly do some of the lower light requiring clams as well under VHO I do believe. Maybe someone else can jump in on this area.

[chode]

alright thanks, i guess ill just hold off on the anemone for a while. but i think even with just softies i can start a nice looking tank

[gman0526]

Most def, soft corals look awesome!!!, just take it slow and add organisms you have researched b4 you introduce them.

[icereefer]

ya under VHO's, hippopus clams will do fine under them and squamosa's and crocea's will fair ok about 3 to 4" from the surface of your water.
but those 2 will thrive better under MH.

[chode]

ok cool