T5 lighting for reef tank

[pinda]

Would

T5 HO DIY Retrofit Kit 2 x 48"/54W T-5 Reef Lighting

be good enough for a 55 gallon aqaurium with corals? If it is what corals would i be able to have? the size of the aquarium is 48 * 21 H * 14 W.

 

[Fierro Nights]

i think your going to need more light then that.

i have a 20 gallon tank and i have a 65watt pc light, about to have to get another 65 watt pc for the same tank. 130 watts total, you have a larger tank and less light then i w/ a smaller tank an i may not be able to have stony corals yet. i think youll need about 8 or so watts per gallon for stony. which you are way under.

in your case, you should be able to keep polyps and a leather, just soft corals.

there are some great corals that dont really require light though, they simply need to be fed through out the week, you may want to look into it if you dont mind spending time w/ your coral and feeding it w/out running up the light bill.

 

[pat8you]

T5 fixtures are nice lights for mid sized reefs like that and tanks with out a ton of depth. I would go with a 4 or 6 bulb fixture though depending on what kind of corals you want to keep. Are you looking to have SPS corals in your tank?

 

[Innovator]

I'd go with a 5x39w or a 6x39w

 

[melosu58]

I posted earlier that I thought you would be OK but then I saw you had only 2 bulbs and I changed my mind. I agree that the 5 or 6 bulb will be better.

 

[roka64]

Definitely get the parabolic reflectors as well.

 

[pinda]

Thanks guys i think i'll stick to the low light corals

 

[Got Water?]

Hey, since were on the subject of lighting, I have a 48"x24"x30" tank with 8 T5-54W. Blue, white and purple.I didn't install it so I don't know if that I have is good or not.

 

[cmor1701d]

What fixture did you get (make and model)? A link to it would be helpfull too.