Lighting Help PLZZZ

[Altima21136]

Will 3 or 4 48" florescent light be enough for a 55G Reef tank ?

3 Coral Life 50/50 Bulbs
and
1 10000K Reef light bulb

totaling 136W

[Che]

I am totally new to this, but I have just been investigating this same question myself. I think it depends on what kind of florescent you are talking about. What I decided on finally for my 55 gallon soon-to-be reef tank is a 48" fixture with 4 X 54W T5 HO lamps, plus lunar LEDs. If I am understanding the advice I am getting, this should be fine for many types of corals, even some sps.

[Ninong]

Will 3 or 4 48" florescent light be enough for a 55G Reef tank ?

3 Coral Life 50/50 Bulbs
and
1 10000K Reef light bulb

totaling 136W

Hi Altima21136,



I'm not sure what sort of fluorescent tubes you're talking about if your total wattage is 136 watts???

A standard normal output (NO) 4' fluorescent tube is 40 watts, except for the efficiency tubes that are 32 watts. Not many people use normal output fluorescent tubes for a reef tank, just a fish-only tank.

Nowadays most people use HO T5 tubes with individual reflectors. The individual reflectors make a big difference in the amount of light that reaches the corals.

Other options would be either power compact fluorescents or very high output (VHO) fluorescents.

Good luck!

[Ninong]

I am totally new to this, but I have just been investigating this same question myself. I think it depends on what kind of florescent you are talking about. What I decided on finally for my 55 gallon soon-to-be reef tank is a 48" fixture with 4 X 54W T5 HO lamps, plus lunar LEDs. If I am understanding the advice I am getting, this should be fine for many types of corals, even some sps.

Hi Che,



Yes, you should be okay.

Good luck!