Lighting for a 55g

[MissNano]

So i am going to pick up a 55g today, and it doesnt come with any lights.. what kinda of lighting would you suggest. Keep in mind, I dont need the Cadillac of lights, nor can i afford it. Something to do some soft corals, would be plenty for me..
Thanks guys :)

 

[Hiker4twenty]

Send LR member xxknuckleheadxx a PM. Or go to his website www.fantasyaquatica.com and email him. He'll be able to hook you up.

 

[Smitty]

A 4 bulb T-5 fixture will be perfect for your tank. You'll be able to keep any softie, and lps coral, and even low light sps with that fixture. But make sure it has independent reflectors.

 

[Bifferwine]

I also agree, either a 4 bulb or 6 bulb T5 fixture.

 

[MissNano]

What does a 4 bulb or 6 bulb mean? Sorry, i have a Nano tank and the lighting came with it, so all lighting is foreign to me.

 

[Bifferwine]

That's how many bulbs it has. You will want a T5 fixture that has either 4 T5 bulbs or 6 T5 bulbs.

Check out the Current Nova Extremes and Current Nova Extreme Pros.

 

[BL1]

a 4 bulb has 4 bulb tubes and a 6 bulb has 6 bulb tubes

 

[MissNano]

well i know the light my mom has she is giving me, has 3 lights on each side. A white a blue and said then a pink then it does it again on the other side so 6 in all. However she said i need to replace the bulbs and maybe the intensity of the bulbs as well.

 

[Bifferwine]

Do you know how wide the bulbs are? That will be what determines how good the lights are. T5s are skinny (so they put out a lot of light for their size).

 

[MissNano]

i think it is a orbit and the whole fixture is 48 inches, it has like 4 different bulbs

ok so maybe it only has 4 bulbs.. lol.. this is what my mom wrote.

 

[MissNano]

i think it is 65watt per bulb.. i think this is the light she is giving me
48 inch 4x65 Watt Current USA PowerCompact Orbit Fixture

so i think i need this?
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13314

the 65 watt dual daylight? Is that good lighting?

 

[MissNano]

SunPaq Dual Daylight
6700ºK/10000ºK 65W,

and
SunPaq Dual Actinic
420/460nm 65W,

I think that is what i need.. is that good?

 

[Bifferwine]

I'd get two daylights and two actincs. Your choices should be fine.