Lights for a 55 gallon

[Eve]

Okay so I have been doing some research because I would like to change the lights on my tank. The ones I have right now are just regular, boring lights with a on and off switch, no dimming lights or blue light (moonlight?). Any recommendations? Something not so expensive of course. I attached some pictures of the tank. Don't judge my tank, there is not much in there yet lol.

 

[Adam Johnson]

Hi Eve what kind of corals will you be adding? If you are planning on keeping some SPS I would recommend a couple
Aqua Illumination
HYDRA 32 HD LED REEF LEDs.

 

[Eve]

Hi Eve what kind of corals will you be adding? If you are planning on keeping some SPS I would recommend a couple
Aqua Illumination
HYDRA 32 HD LED REEF LEDs.

Hi, I think LPS since they seem a little easier to take care of? SPS makes me a little nervous lol. I will read some reviews. Thank you!!

 

[TherealplexiG]

Hi, I think LPS since they seem a little easier to take care of? SPS makes me a little nervous lol.

There are a few good options depending on much you wanna drop on those.
Kessil 360 with a few t5s on a hybrid fixture.
Radion coupla xr 15s
Hydras are good but pain to set it up

 

[Eve]

There are a few good options depending on much you wanna drop on those.
Kessil 360 with a few t5s on a hybrid fixture.
Radion coupla xr 15s
Hydras are good but pain to set it up

I would love something not so expensive! No more than $500. This hobby is becoming too expensive

 

[Daddy-o]

You could get a couple MarsAqua 165watt fixtures for about 250 for the pair.
Cheers! Mark

 

[TherealplexiG]

I would love something not so expensive! No more than $500. This hobby is becoming too expensive

I would recommend reef breeders for sure. Would fit your bill perfectly. Check them out.

 

[TherealplexiG]

You could get a couple MarsAqua 165watt fixtures for about 250 for the pair.
Cheers! Mark

Man don't send her to Mars with those lol.
I mean Mars aqua is okaish but has a history of blowing up. Knw m sayin?

 

[Eve]

Man don't send her to Mars with those lol.
I mean Mars aqua is okaish but has a history of blowing up. Knw m sayin?

Omg blowing up? That’s scary!! Lol Mark what are you doing to me lol trying to kill me?

 

[Daddy-o]

Man don't send her to Mars with those lol.
I mean Mars aqua is okaish but has a history of blowing up. Knw m sayin?

Omg blowing up? That’s scary!! Lol Mark what are you doing to me lol trying to kill me?

I am running 3 of them. Never had an issue, they grow coral great, and they are budget friendly! Has 1 of them "actually blown up"?

 

[Eve]

I am running 3 of them. Never had an issue, they grow coral great, and they are budget friendly! Has 1 of them "actually blown up"?

I like the price! Lol I am reading reviews in all of them

 

[Daddy-o]

I will say that the 2 things that the MarsAquas lack that my other lights have is:
1 - Ramping up and down
2 - The inability to program through an app like Bluefish

 

[Peace River]

Keep in mind that the 55g layout is usually long and thin with a brace in the middle. Many lights won't cover much width without spilling a lot of light outside of the depth (front to back). Also the brace in the middle makes it a challenge to have an odd number of lights. If you can find a strip light that is powerful enough to grow the types of corals that you want to raise then that may be a good option. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Eve]

Keep in mind that the 55g layout is usually long and thin with a brace in the middle. Many lights won't cover much width without spilling a lot of light outside of the depth (front to back). Also the brace in the middle makes it a challenge to have an odd number of lights. If you can find a strip light that is powerful enough to grow the types of corals that you want to raise then that may be a good option. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Yeah you just described my tank lol. It makes sense, I was thinking about how I was going to mount any of those lights, looks so complicated.

 

[Curtis Rose]

Sb reef lights are nice as well...reefbreeders are good mar aqua and ocean revive. No need to spend 500 plus per light esp if u haven’t grown coral yet...I get it buy once cry once but for a these lights have all had good success and are on the cheaper side. U might have to do a lil more tweaking and research. The cool thing abt all three of these lights that no one seems to talk abt is the fact that, if they break u can work on them replace parts and adjust spectrum by changing out leds. Tons of options do your research no need on spending 1000+ on lighting for the first go around. wait till you kno exactly what u want before u go buying light that costs as much as your whole setup. Lol happy reefing and welcome to the most addicting hobby known.

 

[Eve]

Sb reef lights are nice as well...reefbreeders are good mar aqua and ocean revive. No need to spend 500 plus per light esp if u haven’t grown coral yet...I get it buy once cry once but for a these lights have all had good success and are on the cheaper side. U might have to do a lil more tweaking and research. The cool thing abt all three of these lights that no one seems to talk abt is the fact that, if they break u can work on them replace parts and adjust spectrum by changing out leds. Tons of options do your research no need on spending 1000+ on lighting for the first go around. wait till you kno exactly what u want before u go buying light that costs as much as your whole setup. Lol happy reefing and welcome to the most addicting hobby known.

Lol I know , the most addicting and expensive

 

[TherealplexiG]

Omg blowing up? That’s scary!! Lol Mark what are you doing to me lol trying to kill me?

Not all of em blows but I heard a

I am running 3 of them. Never had an issue, they grow coral great, and they are budget friendly! Has 1 of them "actually blown up"?

Yes sir,
Heard many kaboom stories of Mars aqua and other Chinese black boxes.

 

[MrWheelock]

Whats the length* of the tank? For LPS and softies wouldn't a used Kessil AP700 do the trick? Allows to maybe add T5 later if she decides to go easy to moderate SPS.

 

[Eve]

Whats the length* of the tank? For LPS and softies wouldn't a used Kessil AP700 do the trick? Allows to maybe add T5 later if she decides to go easy to moderate SPS.

48 inches, but it has a brace on the center? So each side 24in.. Im sure you already knew that lol. Also, I have been reading that lights could melt the brace? Now sounds like a bad idea. My tank comes with two hoods, so I was thinking about removing the hoods, adding the lights and trying to figure out how to cover the tank so my fish won’t end up on the carpet.

 

[MrWheelock]

Yes center brace just like my 75. I've never heard of a center brace melting tbh, will have to check that out.

As far as the hoods you will need to remove them for any decent lighting option, you can do a DIY screen top for each side though.

Personally I'd go with a 2 fixture T5 and add some LED to suppliment color and shimmer.