Need Some General Advice

[B_R_A_D]

I work at a huge aquarium and Im an automation guy who just loves the fish, Im starting a tank up at home, its a 55 gallon Half circle tank thats about 2.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, Right now its all plumbed and running with just freshwater for now. I want to eventually put some Coral and a few fish in it but was wondering about lighting. Some have said MH is the way to go, some say you dont need it. I just want the best light for not a huge amount of money. Everything we have here at the aquarium is Huge MH lights that are real expensive. Just some general suggestions would be nice

Thanks

[patsfan1130]

I work at a huge aquarium and Im an automation guy who just loves the fish, Im starting a tank up at home, its a 55 gallon Half circle tank thats about 2.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, Right now its all plumbed and running with just freshwater for now. I want to eventually put some Coral and a few fish in it but was wondering about lighting. Some have said MH is the way to go, some say you dont need it. I just want the best light for not a huge amount of money. Everything we have here at the aquarium is Huge MH lights that are real expensive. Just some general suggestions would be nice

Thanks

You could go with a nice VHO setup if you only wanted LPS and softies. 30'' is a tall tank so placement will be important. There are even some nice PC setups that would do a nice job. A lot of people have been going with T-5's and reporting good success with keeping inverts.

My advice however would be to go with a MH setup from the get go. It is clearly one of the most expensive purchases you will make and if made with an open mind and a lot of thought is put into it in regards to where you will be a year from now or 5 years from now...It might just be the only time you have to invest the dough into lighting. I currently have 2 PC fixtures and a VHO fixture sitting in the back of my daughters closet. I spent $600 on all 3 combined. My MH fixture cost be about $900 but I can guarantee I will not buy another fixture ever. (excluding bulbs and if the unit craps out on me of course)

If you can sit back and say that you do not want to keep any SPS/clams or any other intense light loving creature..then go with something cheaper

You can get MH retro kits online for a little more than a complete VHO/T-5/PC fixture. take a look at some of these sites....

http://www.hellolights.com/

http://www.championlighting.com/e/en...nk=/index.html

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...vc?Screen=SFNT

[saltjunkie]

best answer you can get!