30" Lighing... Need help!!

[lr1981lr]

I just got an AGA 54 gallon RR Corner tank and the lighting I need is 30" I have been looking all over for light but can't seem to find the right one to get..... i like soft corals better than hard for now, but want to just get the the right thing right way so I don't have to deal with it again later, so i was plannin on MH/t5 combo but can't seem to find one in my size, can I combine two separate fixtures?? any suggestions??? Please help!!!

Oh yeah, so I'm completely new to ALL of this (reef keeping and forums as well,) so bare with me while i get the hang of it, thanx!

-louis

[charlie]

I really think you would be able to get away with a 24" fixture. If you center it, you would get enuf coverage. HTH

[Reefland]

Alternatively, you could look at a single 400w Metal Halide fixture and hang it about 13" above the tank which should give you decent coverage.

[lr1981lr]

thanks guys! need all the help i can get!

[razorfingerz]

my first lighting system.. i bought a coralife 260w cp.. as i progressed through various types of corals.. i realized, intense lighting was required to keep a greater variety of different corals.. i decided to biuld a custom hood that would compare to 500$-700$ system.. i got my 250w Mhs for 80$ a peice. (mogul sockets, reflectors, bulbs, and ballasts) then i bought half a sheet of plywood for 14$, some hardware 10$, and moon lights 20$ and i had a very intense system for a good price. total accumulated cost 204$ for 500W system with moonlights

[Live Rock Ricky]

wow... where did you find that steal razor? i just paid $250 each for two halides... i had to get a special size due to limited space... 11 x 6.5 x 3. my tank is in the wall and the ass end is in a closet.

[razorfingerz]

yeah.. i got a really good deal on those lights.. this guys was moving and was selling his whole system, he was the nicest guy.. he threw in 7 bulbs for free, (only a couple months burntime) and 2 175w ballasts for helping him put the cover on his pool.. i guess what im sayin is, i wanted good lights for the longest time and was about to spend alot of money, but being patient absolutely payed off..

[Live Rock Ricky]

damn... wish i could have scored like that

[razorfingerz]

even ordering sockets and reflectors and bulbs individualy and building a custom hood will be much cheaper than buying a fixture

[Live Rock Ricky]

i was thinking about that but don't have any experience just yet. but im sure i will gain it soon..

thank god my expenses are a business write-off

[razorfingerz]

yeah.. i didnt have any either.. and im still new to this as well, but i did learn alot about lighting when i was upgrading

[Live Rock Ricky]

what part of jersery are you from?

[razorfingerz]

central.. brunswick area