lighting question

[jeff415finest]

I'm in dire need to upgrade my lighting fixture to help support my future coral life. Right now i just have the basic one bulb blue fluorescent lighting for my 55 gallon and i believe the bulbs width is 36 from what i can remember. I was searching on craigslist and ebay for deals but yeah this is a new world for me and any input would be greatly appreciated because I dont want to be suckered by my LFS workers. Last time i was asking questions about lighting for my tank he goes and shows me the showroom tanks lighting costing the shop $800 or something like that. Right now i am just adding a lot of fiji cured live rocks with red spots developing. I dont think im going to be attempting any sps since im a beginner but would like a good wattage for room in the future as i learn more about corals.

thanks in advance

[Fishieness]

The better lighting that is needed to keep sps corals will also make any lps or even softies that you might want to keep look a lot better. However, you can guy the same light fixture that he offered you in the store online for probably a lot cheaper. I would personaly recomend MHs because you are likely to upgrade once again.
But if you dont want to spend the money, any 48" t5 fixture would also do really well. I would recomend the Tek 4 or 6 bulb unit. And if you really dont think you want to keep a lot a standard coralife 4X65 watt power compact unit would also do the trick
There are a lot of there brands that arent as high quality but still get the job done that would save you a good amount of money that i'm sure you've seen on ebay, such as odyssea.

But first off, what types of corals are you planning on keeping?

[jeff415finest]

LPS.

but i was looking around and was considering this one
http://www.marineandreef.com/Outer_Orbit_T5_36_inch_150W_Current_USA_p/rcu01071.htm
i might as well invest in a great system since its a one time buy thing. Do you guys have any suggestions for online spots?

[archer772]

What length is your tank?? Do you plan to have a canopy because you could retro one cheaper I think. You could always get a good T-5 fixtur also and they would be a little cheaper also.

[ncompany]

I recently bought the current nova extreme pro. 6x54. also in my dreams of soon being able to keep some coral of my own

[Fishieness]

LPS.

but i was looking around and was considering this one
http://www.marineandreef.com/Outer_Orbit_T5_36_inch_150W_Current_USA_p/rcu01071.htm
i might as well invest in a great system since its a one time buy thing. Do you guys have any suggestions for online spots?

do it. that;s a good light for the price if you like it.
but you might want to look at the 48" light, because that is how big a 55 gallon tank is. Unless your tank is a strange custom or you have the dimensions wrong, it is actually 48"s, not 36"s.

[jeff415finest]

oh okay. i know the bulb is 36" and in that site they have a size chart stating my for a 55 gallon is a 36" but i will measure it i guess. Yeah just need to gather up some money but most importantly look around and get more info for other sites and brands

[Miss my puffer]

A 55 breeder is 36 inches (technically I think it is 50, but some stores sell them as a 55 breeder), most have a 55 long, which is 48 inches. I have a 55 breeder and a 55 long.

[Fishieness]

A 55 breeder is 36 inches (technically I think it is 50, but some stores sell them as a 55 breeder), most have a 55 long, which is 48 inches. I have a 55 breeder and a 55 long.

Yeah... I've seen pleanty of 50 breeders, but never a 55. You are saying you've seen stores sell a 50 as a 55? I've never seen that either.

But I supose a ruler/tape measure will settle this.

[Miss my puffer]

Like I said it is technically a 50 (measurements say so) but when I bought it the store was selling it as a 55 breeder and that is what I thought it was until I measured. Seen it labeled as a 55 breeder at a couple of other lfs, but like you said it is a 50 tank.

[jeff415finest]

LPS.

Do you guys have any suggestions for online spots?:help:

[tamableanimal]

This is where I get mine.
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/index.php?cPath=55_63&osCsid=2dc592e9d85ffa1918d33cf9577ba126

[jeff415finest]

^ what did you get?

[jeff415finest]

Just picked up a used Coralife Aqualight Pro 48". It fits a little off right now but i will make the minor adjustments with the legs. I am overall happy and excited for my future inhabitants.

Before
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/jeff415finest/0605/IMG_0383.jpg



After
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/jeff415finest/0605/IMG_0434.jpg