Total Newbie

I want to upgrade my normal light to something so I could get some corals. I defineatly do not want MH lights. I am currently using one of those plastic hoods for my fish-only. I saw this setup on my lfs's website and thought perfect, and cheap (short on money) Coralife 48" Aqualight T5 (One 28 Watt 10,000K Bulb): Amazon Stingrays and Aquarium Supplies
Then I saw this Coralife 48" Twin Tube T5 Fixture (One 28 Watt 10,000K and One 28 Watt Actinic Bulb): Amazon Stingrays and Aquarium Supplies

So, do Ineed the atnics or not

 

what are your plans with the tank.. I love actinics, so I think you should get them.. If you're even remotely thinking about corals, get something more powerful..

How big is your tank?

 

You won't be able to get many corals under those, they are just plain strip lights. It sounds T5s are the way to go. Before getting into what you should get lighting wise, how big is you tank and what are the dimensions. What are you planning on keeping coral wise?

 

My tank is 4' by 13" and just some button mushrooms, or at most a ricordea or gsp.
Don't know what I am talking about, so just to make sure...
http://zomania.com/images/DSC05729.JPG
http://z.about.com/d/saltaquarium/1/5/y/d/nnunesactinodiscus_400.JPG
http://reef-daily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/01zoopropsunzoalrg.jpg

 

You will want a T5HO fixture. The one you are looking at is normal output. A 48" T5HO fixture has 54 watts per bulb. Actinics are nice but put out 1/3 the PAR of other bulbs. Buy ATI blue plus or the Geisemann equivalent. They have a heavy dose of actinic light and tons of PAR to boot. You will only be able to put a 4 bulb unit over your tank.

 

Giesemann 6000K Midday 54 Watt T5 Bulb (48 Inch): Amazon Stingrays and Aquarium Supplies
Like this?
And single bulb or double?

 

that bulb will give you a yellowish tint. if you like that color , thats cool. but if you dont , you will a higher kelvin bulb, like an ho 10000 or higher. you can also offset the yellow with the other bulbs, and actinics

 

Which bulb the coralife or other

 

the geissmann 6000k. ive got it, plus 3 aquablues and 2 actinic+ from geissmann.