22g CADLIGHTS - Lighting Question

[Spent198]

Hey all,

This summer I am looking to start my first SW tank and I am pretty excited! I have been browsing these forums for quite some time and reading up carefully. Now, I have started the tank selection process and I stumbled across the CADLIGHTS reef-ready tanks. There are a number of options available, but I would like to save as much money as possible on the tank itself. The 22g 4 bulbs package includes:

High intensity 4 bulbs T5 lighting (10,000k daylight, 03 true actinic blue) - 56 watts

My question is, will this be sufficient lighting for the beginner reef enthusiast? CADLIGHTS also offers a 22g Deluxe kit which includes:

High Output 6 x 24w bulbs T5 lighting (10,000k daylight, 03 true actinic blue) - 144 watts

Would I be better off spending the money on the upgraded lighting? From what I have seen, lighting is one of the most important things when it comes to reef-keeping so I do not want to "cheap out" on it.

Quick picture of the "4 bulbs" package:
http://www.cadlights.com/images/22deluxe.gif

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Carl

[jc9394]

I recommend to look at their 25g or 35g with metal halide.

[Spent198]

Bump.

[jc9394]

You can keep most if not all softies with both version, the reason I recommend the 25g or 35g is the build in refugium. You can get the 25g with 6 x 24w bulbs T5 lighting if you call them directly if you don't want to go with HQI route.

[Spent198]

I don't want to sound too "rookie", if you will, but I see a lot of hobbyists keeping perfectly healthy reef tanks without a refugium. As a beginner, would having the ability to run a built-in refugium be a huge advantage for me? It is quite a difference in price between the 4 bulb packages and the upgraded T5 lighting with the built-in refugium.

Thanks!

-Carl

[jc9394]

I think it will. Check this out for more info.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1789&articleid=3043

[jc9394]

You should check out http://www.nano-reef.com, there is a lot more info with nano.

[Spent198]

Haha, yeah. I am a member of Nano-reef.com as well. I will check out that link, thanks.

-Carl