metal halide fixtures for under 100 bucks??

[lnglostsurfer]

In my recent search for budget lighting for my 55 gallon, I came across this website selling metal halide fixtures up to 400 watts for 95 bucks. Would this be able to be modded to make a decent light or is it just a complete waste? I'm looking more towards T5 anyway but just wanted to know what you guys thought.

Aquarium Lighting Systems - Inside Sun

Right now I just have a couple of home depot shop lights over a FOWLR setup but as I'm getting better at keeping water parameters I'm going to be more and more interested in corals.

[charlie]

Stick with your thoughts about T5 lights!!! Remember, you get what you pay for!!!!! JMHO

[lnglostsurfer]

So I am definitely going to go with T-5 lighting, but how much is enough? I'm not looking at anything crazy, just some soft corals, maybe a few low light lps. I'm looking at 48" fixtures, is 2 bulbs enough or should I go for 4? I've had a FOWLR tank setup for awhile but never really kept corals before. Just frustrating when corals say "low light" or "high light" because it doesn't explain exactly what low lighting vs high lighting is....just kind of confusing for a coral newbie like me. Couldn't find any threads that explained it well either...

[charlie]

Go with 4 at least, I think you will be very happy!!!!

Just make sure they have individual reflectors, that is really important with T5 lights!!!

[lnglostsurfer]

So lets say I get a nice 4 bulb T5 fixture. Looking at the Nova Extreme right now...what all would I be able to keep under it? I just don't know the difference between what is considered low, med, or high lighting. Would that be considered medium lighting over a standard 55 gallon? I guess this is where I get the most confused....

[charlie]

With that fixture, you will be OK with what you said you wanted to keep. As far as your other question, time to get out and look at some other tanks and ask alot of questions. I can't tell you what is high, low or medium because every tank is different and what works for me may not work for you.