Lighting 55g reef

[hardparts2]

Im really stuck on my lighting .I am thinking of getting a Current USA Orbit 48" 4 x 96 Watt Power Compact Strip Light W/4 Lunar (Lights 384 watts) but I can get 2 250 watt [acronym:41cbdbbd53="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:41cbdbbd53] retros(500watts) for 10 dollars less with bulbs.The orbit seems nice because I can set it up on timers for light cycle with the [acronym:41cbdbbd53="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:41cbdbbd53] I will have to buy seprate set up for Actinics. Would 2 no 40 watt actinics work?And Im worried about the heat as I plan to have a cover on the tank. Would having the [acronym:41cbdbbd53="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:41cbdbbd53] 10 inches above the tank with fans take care of the heat?I only have so much dough to work with Im already at 1200 bucks. I would like some advise please.

Thanks Bob

[lando]

First question...what do yo intend to keep?

[melosu58]

Bob, You dont have a money tree out in your backyard. When I had my 55 with canopy I had heat problems also. I believe that the fan will definitely help. I had [acronym:a2c87b0504="Very high output fluorescent"]VHO[/acronym:a2c87b0504] lights on mine, I know the [acronym:a2c87b0504="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:a2c87b0504] will be warmer but like I say fan will help. I think your [acronym:a2c87b0504="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:a2c87b0504]`s will be good also. The wattage looks OK. Not much of a lighting expert though. Hopefully others will chime in.

[hardparts2]

Im thinking on using 2 175 [acronym:e19b77bd08="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:e19b77bd08] with 10ks and 2 no 40 watt actinics would be the best bet . would I beable to keep an Anemone under this lighting? And thank you very much for the info.
Heres what I want to keep Soft Corals, Lps, Anemones,Polyps, Mushrooms, few fish

[lando]

That should be fine.

[AMANIQU77]

Lando, can I keep anemone and soft corals with a Current USA Orbit 48" 4x65watt powercompacts?

[lando]

Lando, can I keep anemone and soft corals with a Current USA Orbit 48" 4x65watt powercompacts?

Actually, you would be surprised what will thrive under that lighting. My first reef tank was a 38gal with 4x65watt [acronym:ab882a203f="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:ab882a203f] fixture. I was able to keep mushrooms, leathers, polyps, a brown maxima clam, xenia, several species of [acronym:ab882a203f="Large polyped Scleractinian (stoney) coral"]LPS[/acronym:ab882a203f] corals and a rose bulb tip anemone that thrived very well in my tank. The size/depth of your tank will make a big difference.