Lighting

I have no clue about good lighting (mine is pretty weak) What kind of lighting would you guys suggest for a 55gal?

 

Depends what you want to keep and your price range.

If your financially limited you could go with PC lighting. You will not get the same growth and coloration as you would with T5HO, MH or LED. You will be able to keep and grow a variety of nice corals including large polyp stony corals.

If you want to grow some of the more exotic corals T5HO works very well.

You could do a DIY LED. If you buy LED do not go cheap, make sure the fixture will support corals. LED are state of the art and also promote growth and offer options with regard to color preferences.

Metal halide is expensive as well uses a lot of energy and runs hot, but it grows the corals.

If I had my dream fixture it would be a hybrid of T5 and MH with a smattering of LED.

If you're looking for brands that is another story.

 

+1

Also, define "pretty weak". Or better yet, tell us exactly what you have.

 

I just wanted to try maybe some coral i have never tried them

 

Is a t5 48'' to big? i dont know how much the light should go across the whole top?

 

I do not know the standard dimensions of a 55 gallon. How long is the tank?

 

A four foot fixture would cover the entire tank. How much are you willing to spend on a fixture?

 

ya its 4ff long. Not a whole lot at the beginning.

 

4ft, I mean

 

I was going to say a good option is two d120 fixtures. It would come out to just under $300 dollars and they can grow just about any type of coral or clam you want.

Evergrow Dimmable Full Spectrum D120 120W LED Light for Reef Saltwater Aquarium | eBay