[Dark_Star293]

Hello,

I was pondering purchasing a new lighting system for my 55 gallon tank. approximate water depth 18-20 inches . Bulbs will be T5 high output: 2 54W 460 nm actinic blue lamps and 2 54W 10,000k ultra daylight lamps. Will this set up provide enough light for corals and inverts?

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts. Cheers!

[glampka]

All depends on what type of corals you plan on keeping. Be sure to get a light that has individual reflectors for each bulb rather than 1 large reflector. You'll get far more light into the tank that way.

[barbra]

You could have a problem, particularly keeping the high light corals, and clams are probably out of range completely. The rule of thumb is 5-10 watts per gallon. You're not quite at 4 watts yet.

[Dark_Star293]

thanks....any recommendations on which corals would thrive or are best suited for beginners

[glampka]

Mushrooms, zoas, leathers, green star polyps are all good for beginners. I've had good luck with frogspawn & plate coral as well.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I have been seeing the new t 5 bulb on line (60 watts in a 36 inch bulb) but I cant seem to find a fixture that says it can take them. An e mail to sunlight supply (tek lite) has gotten no response.If they make a 6 bulb 36 inch fixture that take the 60 watt bulbs thats going on my tank as soon as I can get it.