Need advice on lighting for tank

[huynhle]

Hey Guys,

   This is my first time posting, I've been really looking into getting a proper light fixture for my 75 gallon salt water tank...i want to raise coral one day and i was wondering if this light fixture that i've been looking at online is any good. I need the approval of the experts in this community before i buy it.

what do you guys think? This is for my 75 gallon tank.

Found new one what do you think:
http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-4x54W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Pro-Series-p/52211.htm

[u]48" T5 Quad Deluxe 216W Marine Version(4x 54W)

Fixture comes with 2x 12000K and 2x Actinic Blue lamps.

Features:
[/u]
    * Dimensions - 47.50" x 7.25" x 2.75"
    * Brackets add 2.75" in height
    * Supports 4x 54W T5 High Output lamps
    * Supports 4x Bluemoon LED
    * Supports standard T5 lamps
    * 216W total power
    * Individual power cords for each function
    * Black, non corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
    * Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
    * Highly polished reflector
    * Cooling Fan
    * Mounting brackets flips up for convenience
    * CE Certified

Listing includes:

    * 1x 48" T5 Quad fixture
    * 1x Mounting Bracket (Free Item*)
    * 2x 54W T5 HO lamps 12000K (Free Item*)
    * 2x 54W T5 HO lamps Actinic Blue (Free Item*)
    * 4x LED (Free Item*)

[mikerobart]

Sounds a lot like this one... http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-4x54W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Advance-p/52203.htm



Lighting will really depend on what you mean by "coral"... do you want to be able to have sps ? Or just lps, softies? Do you want the possibility of adding a clam?

With t5's.. the big thing is the reflector. Ideally in a top quality light you have individual reflectors for each bulb. If those bulbs aren't ATI, UVL, Giesemann... you'll want to replace those as well.

If your budget allows, check out the sunlight supply tek light... or a few others.

That's the long answer.

The short answer is you can probably have success with softies and lps in your 75g with that light... but you would probably end up upgrading anyways. A lot of variables here.

[huynhle]

is this one any better?

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-4x54W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Pro-Series-p/52211.htm ?

[mikerobart]

Bit better, some people like the Odyssea. Company does not have the greatest reputation but newer models supposed to be ok. Lots of reviews of this stuff on reef central.

What do you want to be keeping in terms of coral?

[huynhle]

Not to sure what kind of coral i'd get but i'd like to invest in a good set of lights that would allot me to keep a wide range of corals...any suggestions?

[mikerobart]

If you want to stick with t5, my recommendation is a sunlight supply 6 bulb tek light.