Does it matter how many watts

[Freshwaterguy1313]

I wanna start my very first saltwater fish tank with my 55 gallon tank. I wanna have some reefs in so here is the real question: If I get 2 Corallife 20,000K lights and 1 Blue Actinic light with a GE Ballast. First of all, is that good or bad. Second, since they'll probably be about 30 to 40 watts per light, does the wattage matter??? I would appreciate any suggestions as well as opionions. Thanks ahead of time.

[Ironreef]

No type of watt= from vho or metal halide is a big diff. But watts per gal can help give an idea. For a 55g imo I would have at least 330w from vho or pc. N.o.(40w) lights will be fine but I would use at 240w=6 bulbs. But it all depends on what you plan on keeping. I would only use the above for some softies and lps. But if $$ isn't there I would use as many no(40w) bulbs you can fit. If you have the $$ I would buy a Icecap or= vho setup and run 4 _110w IMO. That would still be modist lighting IME. I posted all that cuz this is the reef forum and didn't relize ....are you just keeping fish? If so what you posted would be fine. i was thinking corals duhh Hmmm this isn't even the reef forum its lighting...I guess i better have more coffee.

[hllywd]

FWG, Don't skimp on your lighting it'll cost you more in the long run. If you try to stuff too many bulbs over the top of a tank sooner or later you aren't able to reflect the light coming from the top of the bulbs back into the tank because of the adjacent bulbs, with a 55 because of the width of the tank you'll run up against that issue fast. If this tank is going to be anything but FO my opinion is that you will need either VHOs or PCs. With 96W PCs you could start with 1 then add acouple more later if budget is a concern. Look at www.ahsupply.com , Good luck.
Tim

[hllywd]

FWG, Don't skimp on your lighting it'll cost you more in the long run. If you try to stuff too many bulbs over the top of a tank sooner or later you aren't able to reflect the light coming from the top of the bulbs back into the tank because of the adjacent bulbs, with a 55 because of the width of the tank you'll run up against that issue fast. If this tank is going to be anything but FO my opinion is that you will need either VHOs or PCs. With 96W PCs you could start with 1 then add a couple more later if budget is a concern. Look at www.ahsupply.com , Good luck.
Tim

[Freshwaterguy1313]

Ok i kinda see what you people are tring to say. But also the Kelvin rating could take in affect too. My plan was to get 2 Coralife 20,000K lights, that are 40 watts each, and 1 Coralife Actinic Blue, that is 40 watts also. See what i wanna try to keep is some fish(like tangs and all other reef safe fish) and some corals. I want some of hard a nd soft corals too. Oh and by the way, I'm trying to keep the price of lights at a maximum of $75-$100. I know its possibly cheap, but hey I'm kinda on a TIGHT budget. THANKS

[hllywd]

I think trying to use even 3 40W tubes for anything other than a strictly FO tank will result in disappointment. For about a hundred bucks you can get started with a 96W kit with a bulb of either 6700K or 10,000K Then at a later date add another kit or 2 when your budget allows or even add a MH system. I know that's not what you want to hear but I tried to use 2 30W tubes over a 30 gallon for a long time with crappy results, I couldn't even grow coraline with the exact bulbs you suggest. IMO do it right the 1st time or at least give yourself the option to add on with out scrapping your old setup. I got a deal from Champion Ltg. Supply on a 175W MH for $125.00 and it made all the difference in the world. I sold the Oceanic NO strip lights in a garage sale for $10.00 each just to get rid of them
Good luck, Tim

[Freshwaterguy1313]

Ok then I'll try the VHO's and then I'll see what happens. Thanks a lot all of you and If any thing else I will keep you guys informed!!!