New to saltwater. Lighting Question?

[Brent Salerno]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to saltwater. I have 55gallon aquarium 48" x 12" x 20". I purchased a two-bulb T5HO fixture for my tank and was wondering if anyone else has run a 2 bulb on their tank with any success. I currently have some zoanthids and a mushroom coral which seem to be doing well in my tank. Any input would be appreciated along with which spectrum of bulbs would be beneficial in this scenario. I dont plan on keeping any corals that require strong lighting just some soft corals and possibly some low light lps. Here is a link to the fixture.

https://www.amazon.ca/Aquatic-Marquis-Aquarium-Fixture-30-Inch/dp/B00MNOD1QQ?th=1&psc=1

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to saltwater. I have 55gallon aquarium 48" x 12" x 20". I purchased a two-bulb T5HO fixture for my tank and was wondering if anyone else has run a 2 bulb on their tank with any success. I currently have some zoanthids and a mushroom coral which seem to be doing well in my tank. Any input would be appreciated along with which spectrum of bulbs would be beneficial in this scenario. I dont plan on keeping any corals that require strong lighting just some soft corals and possibly some low light lps. Here is a link to the fixture.

https://www.amazon.ca/Aquatic-Marquis-Aquarium-Fixture-30-Inch/dp/B00MNOD1QQ?th=1&psc=1

Hi, Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Yea, that lights fine. Just buy better tubes when its time...And if the free money comes, a little led strip that ramps would really finish off the tank. The current orbit marine (look used) or something thin like that. Boom!

 

[mcarroll]

It's really only a 30" fixture for a 48" tank?

You'll certainly be able to grow some coral but you'll be in a limited scenario.

Mostly place corals up high, and you may still have mixed results from some corals acclimated to higher light.

Good flow and nutrition will be more critical for your corals.

 

[LetItReef]

Hi, Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Yea, that lights fine. Just buy better tubes when its time...And if the free money comes, a little led strip that ramps would really finish off the tank. The current orbit marine (look used) or something thin like that. Boom!

Had dual t5's with ATI bulbs and Current Orbit for few months and did well.

 

[Brent Salerno]

Yeh its the 48" fixture. @saltyfilmfolks when does the free money come lol. Im looking into getting some good Led lights in the future like Kessil or AI, I planned on doing Fish only for a while until i was sure my water was stable but i bought some cheap easy corals to kind of guage where I was at. Which better tubes would you recommend when its time?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yeh its the 48" fixture. @saltyfilmfolks when does the free money come lol. Im looking into getting some good Led lights in the future like Kessil or AI, I planned on doing Fish only for a while until i was sure my water was stable but i bought some cheap easy corals to kind of guage where I was at. Which better tubes would you recommend when its time?

ATI all the way. C+ B+