What would you pick?

[colesy]

If you were starting a new tank, like I am, which lighting would you choose? I have what will be a small in-wall 55G tank, and length wise I would have to stick with 36" lamps. As far as what I am looking to stock, initially FOWLR until the tank matures, then some basic corals/softies. Nothing too hardcore.

Most people have been telling me to go with all T5s. They have suggested running 2 x T5 actinic on a Work Horse 5 ballast, and and 2 x T5 daylights off another Work Horse 5 ballast. This will allow me to have the actinics come seperate from the daylights.

Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks.

 

[reefrash]

I'd go with the T-5s thats good advise. If you wanted to save some bucks the Nova Extreme is a pretty decent unit for $200. If you're not keeping a lot of corals you may not need all the light, unless of course you like a very bright tank.

 

[colesy]

That does look like a nice option actually. My problem is with the dimensions of my tank (40x20x16) it would be too big to get the 48" version, and a bit small for the 36" version. I suppose I could build something out to allow the 36" version to work... What would you do?

 

[mysis]

could you go MH?

 

[colesy]

Sure, other then it costing a little more, I don't have a problem with going MH if that is my best option. I would also need to run some sort of actinics. I don't mind building my own hood, but do like the idea of a plug and play setup.

If you don't mind, could you list what all I would need to run a MH setup. Like ballasts, lamps, etc.. and what wattage I should look at.