55 gallon equipment suggestions

[lilduud]

so im budgeting out my upgrade tank to start gathering materials and cash... buuuttt
i know for sure i want a 55 just because of the dimensions and i have the placement all figured out.. i wil more than likely have a real stand for it and a sump system... but my questions are about any equipment suggestions... mainly light..
i was looking at the 48" 4 bulb and 6 bulb systems and i know my coral would love me if i did the 6 bulb but do you think i could manage with the four... for 216 watts... i know thats just under 4 watts per gallon but do you think that would be alright.. theres a big price difference obviously hah any other recommended equipment would be great... open to any suggestions!

 

[VAreef]

For your lights you would be ok for many corals with the four bulb system. I would say though that if you can afford them you will never regret going with the better lighting. Just like you will never regret going with a bigger tank. But you gotta keep within the budget so 4 watts per gal of t-5 lighting would be fine for most corals. You should even be able to handle some sps with those.

 

[reeffreak]

Individual reflectors and the 4 bulb will do nicely.

 

[Bifferwine]

The 4 bulb over a 55 will be fine. That's what I used over my old 55. I kept SPS, clams and an anemone, all of which are considered high light demanding.

 

[lilduud]

yea i figured theyd do fine but i want them to thriiiivveee haha i love watchin em grow... i guess it all depends on how much i have in the end... ill buy the lights last :)

 

[Reefrookie]

After the tank, you might want to buy the lights first, knowing they will probably be the most expensive thing. Why buy a cheaper light now and then have to upgrade later. I would get the lights and then a good skimmer. The rest can be gotten as needed.

 

[lilduud]

well if i get the four bulb i wont upgrade the lighting on the tank... it will come down to how much i have left to spend at the end...if i have a few extra hundred ill by the six bulb...
as for my current set up with 2x24w... i have the oppurtunity to change to the wave point 4 bulb 24 inch which would double my light to almost 10 watts per gallon :D
however my concern is that it will overheat my system as i already have 1-2 degree spikes toward the end of the day...both the lights i have now and the wavepoint 4 bulb are fanless and there for non-cooled.. any comments or suggestions?

 

[Reefrookie]

I would stick with the 4 bulb unit and spend the rest on other reef related things you will need