lighting

I have a 55 gallon aquarium how would a t5 108 watt work for a reef aquarium

 

rconley - thats 2 x 54 watt T5 tubes
it may be adequate for some of the lower light requiring corals
but your options on corals would be greatly increased if you doubled up to 4 x 54 watt tubes IME
I know people on this site with thriving SPS under 4 x T5s

6 - well 6 x 54 watts - I know for a fact that works


Steve

 

Ok then I will get the 4 x 54

 

You wont regret that desicion IMHO
zoas, shrooms, leathers etc are great corals IMO and may have been perfectly content under the 2 lamps
But with the 4 lamps - you have greatly improved your options


Steve

 

4-6 is best.

 

This hobby is expensive, one of the ways to cut down your long term cost is to think ahead when buying equipment. If you're in this for the long haul, your coral plans will change and you most likely will end up buying another fixture. If I were you, I'd save up some more $$ and get the 6x54w T5 fixture, it will work for your 55 and also when you decide to upgrade to a 75, 90, 110 (for most corals). I have a 6x54w setup on my 75 and I run 4 bulbs most of the day (I have soft, LPS and SPS corals...and a couple of clams) so a 4x54W T5 setup will meet your current needs...just something to think about because when we sell equipment it's usually at a great loss.

If you're sure you wouldn't be upgrading your 55 in the near future, your bang for your buck is the 4 bulbs.

 

6 bulb FTW!