How much light for a 55?

[todd2000]

So my friend wants to upgrade to Metal Halide for his 55, and is wondering how many watts he needs, etc... He mainly wants to keep Softies, but may try some SPS etc.. What specific lights would you recommend, and what wattage. He would prefer fixtures, not pendants, and if possible something thats not ridiculously expensive :). It's a regular 55 without a hood. What do you think. Thanks

[ACBlinky]

Current-USA makes a nice MH fixture called the Sunpod, which might work well. It's got moonlights (LEDs between the MH bulbs), fans and 2x150W 14K MH. No supplemental actinics, but with 14K you don't really need them. Fixtures like the Outer Orbit or others with PC or T5 actinics are all likely to be too wide for a 12" tank. You can see Current's fixtures on their website, I believe it's www.current-usa.com

[Dubbin1]

You could get a couple 175w retros and build a simple canopy. That would be your cheapest option.

[Tu Ku]

Pretty much what I did. Just build some 150 retros into an old aluminum fixture I had and added a Weipro dual T5 fixture next to that. The 150's are 10K and the T5's are pure actinic. It's a total of 408 watts which is certainly more than enough to penetrate to the bottom of my tank with intensity. If your friend wants to grow a majority of softies he won't want nearly 400 watts burning them, but if it's sps then I find it's about perfect.