4 or 6 bulbs?

[cwb_reeftank]

Would it be to much or a waste to get a 6 bulb fixture for a 55 gal. or should I stick with a 4 bulb fixture (going for more sps). also I use ATI bulbs

 

[Ocelaris]

I have a 6 bulb over an 18" wide tank and it's too much light almost. I have a 60" light on a 60" tank. Not sure the dimensions of a 55 off hand, but I believe the 6 bulb is 13" wide.

On the other hand you can always raise the lights up.

 

[cwb_reeftank]

my 55 I think is 13" wide and I wasn't sure if it would help or not.

 

[timrocks311]

What type of corals are you planning? I'd think a 4 bulb would be suitable for most.

 

[Fritzhamer]

I think four bulbs is plenty for a 55. I'd even go with a 36" fixture, you'll get just as much par on the side panels with a 36" wide as you will with a 48". You just won't have to clean the side glass as often.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

id say go to leds and do a 2 bulb t5 combo

 

[Bpb]

4 bulbs is perfect over a standard 55 gallon.

 

[40B Knasty]

I run a 4 bulb JBJ Trinity ATI 39W B+, C+, B+, and Actinic on a 65g. Works great for me. It was originally for a 40B, but that tank has since cracked.
65g is 2'x3'x18"

 

[cwb_reeftank]

so if I did a 36" or 48" fixture what would you guys suggest? preferably under or at $500 and same for the leds?

 

[cwb_reeftank]

I already have a 48" fixture just one side stopped working and the other bulb keeps flickering, so I just want to replace it.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

your really looking more at about 800

 

[Luno]

I'm planning to upgrade my 15g nano to a 40g 36x15x18 I plan to use a 4 bulb t5 fixture with some led strip lights front and back to add some shimmer. It will be a mixed reef with sps and lps.

Also honestly the fixture doesn't mean crap, you are led to believe this reflector or this and that. If you look at Glennf of dsr who has one of the most successful and stunning reef tanks out there he makes his own reflectors from some kind of aluminum foil. Cheap simple and again a stunning long lasting reef tank with spa growing so quick.

The only I would say is find a fixture that has two power cords so you can control the lighting that little bit better.

 

[Luno]

What's the dimensions of your tank? You wouldn't need to spend more than $200 on the fixture and say another $60-80 on bulbs

 

[cwb_reeftank]

so would sun blaze fixture be ok?

 

[cwb_reeftank]

its a standard 55 48x13x21

 

[Luno]

its a standard 55 48x13x21

Here in Australia our standards for tank size vary so much. There's a few basics but I assume vary much more than you guys. I've always wonder how you guys say this many gallon and everyone knows the dimensions haha.

Also I just googled the fixture you suggested and I don't see why not. Think about it this way a fixture only powers the bulb and keeps it in place that is literally it. Ofcourse a few things can come into play heat distribution and reflectors but as I mentioned above if a well known highly successful reefer makes his own reflectors from cheap aluminum I'm beginning to wonder about if fancy reflectors are really all their cracked up to be.

Does it have 2 power cords though? Not a necessity but nice to have.

 

[Dtfnemo]

I'm planing on using one of this in mine... The more I look around he more people I see using them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002TJKS8Y?th=1&psc=1

 

[cwb_reeftank]

I think it only has one cord and that wouldn’t be a bad idea

 

[Dtfnemo]

I think it only has one cord and that wouldn’t be a bad idea

Yes they only have one cord, so if you plan on using a timer it will be all on or all off... that shouldn't be an issue.

The only thing that concerned me was them getting to hot, but someone out there say that they only get as hot as any other t5 fixture, I still plan on adding some small fans on them