55 gallon lighting dilema

Russelm · Jan 3, 2016

Hey everybody,
I just started a 55 gallon saltwater tank and wanted some advice on lighting. My main goal is to have fish and anenomes ( bubble, sabea, long tentacle) , LPS in this tank. The tank is 48 inches in length. I am looking to go LED and stay under or around $200. My first question is should I get a light fixture that spans the whole 48 inches or just 36 since led usually have a swath of 120 degrees from its origin. Second, with the above information could someone please point me in the direction of this light. I have been researching and now just confused with options and price point. Hoping you fellow reefers could help.

Justiful · Jan 3, 2016

Whole 48. In your budget range, wanting LED, going only LPS and Anenomes, your best bet is....http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=32360
Fits your budget, it is LED, and it works. Get the 48-60 model.

Now you will also want to get the $50 aquarium controler for it, that came available on DEC 23rd of this year. You can go to a local PETCO with the item number and they are able to special order it as it won't likely be in stock. It is a wireless controller with an app.

I was in the same situation with a similar budget restriction, and ordered this light for myself 3 days ago. So I am not recommending something I didn't already buy myself.
I also ordered the WIFI controller for it that just came available on DEC 23rd, so it won't be in stock unless you special order it from a store that sells fluval products.

redfishbluefish · Jan 3, 2016

I think you'd be better off with the Mars Aqua fixture from eBay for around $90 each. Two of these 120W fixtures would easily have the ability to grow anything in your tank. Note that they are advertised as 165 watts, but they actually operate at about 120 watts.