Crunch time? What do I get?

[Fatman]

Just wondering what lights and if someone can point me the way (like a website) that has good prices and has a good reputation. Im looking to not be limited on what I can have by my lights so I want the best in the sense of color for corals and invertebrates (even clams) please let me know I have a 55gallon, I heard I should have between 175 to 275 wattz.

[Fatman]

Oh forgot to add my tanks measurements
48 Long 13 Wide and 20 deep.

[Fatman]

Btw will 10,000K be enough for what I want? Or should I go to 15,000 or 20,000?

[davejnz]

If you want MH,you'll need a dual MH setup(2x250w).You have a narrow tank,your gonna find that your gonna have to hack the MH spider/parabolic reflectors in order to get them to fit.Personally,in a narrow tank such as yours,I'd go with a 4x54w T5 setup driven off of an Icecap660 ballast.

[Fatman]

If you want MH,you'll need a dual MH setup(2x250w).You have a narrow tank,your gonna find that your gonna have to hack the MH spider/parabolic reflectors in order to get them to fit.Personally,in a narrow tank such as yours,I'd go with a 4x54w T5 setup driven off of an Icecap660 ballast.

'

http://www.petsolutions.com/Nova+Ext...001722-C-.aspx

Item #42901123 is that the one? 10,000K enough?

[davejnz]

That seems to be a decent price.Thats not the setup i was reffering to although i'm sure it will be effective.For comparison,an IceCap660 ballast is $160,4 bulbs are $60,4 reflectors are $90,and 4 pairs of endcaps/standoffs are $50.

[Fatman]

That seems to be a decent price.Thats not the setup i was reffering to although i'm sure it will be effective.For comparison,an IceCap660 ballast is $160,4 bulbs are $60,4 reflectors are $90,and 4 pairs of endcaps/standoffs are $50.

Whats the difference between T5s and Metal Halides?

The T5 set up is the link I showed you
http://www.petsolutions.com/Nova+Ext...001722-C-.aspx

Here are some metal Halides I found
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...ight_Elite.htm
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...m175_Hood.html

Is there a massive difference between the two in the sense of what Im limited to in choices later on? (Choice of corals and invertebrates that is) Also will the difference between 10k and 15, and 20k limit my choices too?

[maxfischer]

look on ebay, you will find great prices and tons of different setups. just look at the feedback. i picked up a coralife MH with 2 96 vho's for a great price. look at the ebay stores and you will see tons of stuff

[ReefNeck]

I would highly recommend the "Current USA Outer Orbit 48" fixture!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12779&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Po rtal-_-PriceGrabber-_-Fish-_-Outer%20Orbit%20(4&ref=3475&subref=AA&GCID=C12188x004&ctt=61

[davejnz]

There is a difference,metal halide is a point source light,very intense.T5's and all flourescents disperse the light over the length of the bulb.Flourescents allow for a more evenly lit tank.With a 4x54T5 setup,there aren't too many corals you wont be able to keep.As for spectrum,I would go with 10k or lower