Budget lighting for 55 gal

[Patric1]

So I’m working on setting up a 55 gallon tank with a HOB filter but i need a few pointers starting with cycling.. i have fritz turbo start to pour in but as for my filter.. what do i run starting up I’ve got filter floss/pads chemi pure blue and matrix on hand..

Secondly, i need to find a budget friendly light, i would like to have a anemone or a torch, or some easy corals in the near future.. i found a 32” SB reef light for half the price of new a buddy is selling, and ive considered it but my tank is 48” long is that gonna be a problem. Anything will help

 

[Peace River]

There are lots of approaches to lighting - one budget option for a 55g would be (2) Viparspectra 165w lights. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Gernader]

+1 to above. Chinese black boxes are the best budget option for lighting. You should check out Mars Aqua 165W or ViparSpectra 165W! You would need 2 of them for your tank

 

[Bryn]

@Patric1 Welcome to the life of a Reefer, and I don't mean the joint. Rolled, spliffed or anything else...

Let's talk cycling. Do you have any rock to put into the tank? If using a HOB then just run with some filter floss, something for the bacterial load to attach to with a large surface area. Hold on to your Chemi Pure Blue for now, and not sure what Matrix is.

I'm old school when it comes to cycling, and do not use any Bacteria in a bottle, but it will speed things up. How are you going to add ammonia to your system to get it started?

As far as Corals, and light, that is way down the road, many weeks before you need to worry too much about them, so you have time to figure that out later. Let's get you curing rock, cycling tanks.

 

[Gernader]

And for filtration, I would recommend to use filter floss and seachem matrix as biological media. You do not need to use carbon for now.

 

[Patric1]

And for filtration, I would recommend to use filter floss and seachem matrix as biological media. You do not need to use carbon for now.

And change the floss every couple days or leave it in there for the whole cycle?

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

What is a budget friendly budget?

 

[Gernader]

And change the floss every couple days or leave it in there for the whole cycle?

I don‘t use hob equipment so, I’m not exactly sure. But I think I would keep using it until it gets dirty.

 

[sfin52]

If you want a t5ho these are what I use tidal gardens uses them as well. You will have get new bulbs