8x54 overkill on my 55g tank?

I recently found a deal on a used Nova Extreme 8x54 48" T5 fixture for under $200. The bulbs have 6 months on them so will need to be replaced at some point soon, but it still seems like a good deal to me.

Is this overkill on my 55g reef tank? I currently have no fish or corals in the tank, but want a light before I start adding stuff. Will I be able to have clams with this light? Will it be way too big looking on top of my tank?

Thanks!

 

no, yes, no. I like t5s, I run them on my 55 and I've got a 4X fixture. It does the job,but I wish I had more! I had a MH/PC (250W MH + 2X96W PC) on that same tank about six months ago, and it not only handled it, but the coral growth was awesome. For the most part corals will adjust to the lighting you have provided it meets their minimum requirement and you don't make huge changes without acclimating. With an 8X fixture you have tons of options. 6 actinics and 2 10,000K. You can also leave slots empty if you think it's too much. Your biggest problem will be access and heat. that fixture will just about completly cover the top of your tank, and while that will probably look cool, You'll have to move the lights every time you want to stick your hand in. Also It will create a decent amount of heat, so you'll want to keep that in mind.

 

ditto

+1 what they said

 

Yeah, 8x54 on a 55g won't even all fit over the tank. I ama big proponent of t5ho, and have been using t5s for longer than most hobbyists in the US.

It sounds like an OK deal. I don't think they go for a ton of money new though.

A set of new bulbs will probably run you 8 x 25 dollars at least. So, 200 dollars in bulbs.

 

my 4 light t5 system covers my whole 30 gallon. If its a typical 55 gallon, its just as wide as mine and might be way to big.. look at the specs..

 

yea way over kill, you will bleach every coral you put in it, 4 or 6 is all you need and hoenstly all you need is 4 with SLRS and thats more then enough light to have ANY coral you want.....

 

it depends on your type of corals and your temperature control. Metal Halides are the most bang for your buck if they were not you could see t 5 fixtures in you local supermarket parking lots for premise safety

 

As other said, it would be a complete waste. An 8 bulb unit is too wide, at least two of the bulbs will be shining outside of the tank. I know some 6 bulb units are even too wide for a 55.

 

You see sodium lights there, not true MH lights.

Also, take a look inside the big stores.. t5ho's are replacing or have replaced MH in the big box stores, small and big warehouses and all over. They are better at most things than halides are. They are certainly more efficient than halides.

The local HD switched to t5ho lighting from halide type lights and the stores are much brighter, and use less energy. I know the government even gives businesses grant $$ to switch from MH to t5 or more efficient fluorescents.

 

First of all I don't think an 8x54 will even fit on a 55 gal tank. My simply made retrofits are a little over 12" wide and that's the minimum width I've found. I would also add to what one of the reefers said about feeding. Add to that the usual needs of a tank. You also don't want to be moving the light off the tank to get in there. Fixtures need to be carefully measured taking into thought where do the fixture legs fall and take into consideration your actual available measurements. If you were planing on moving up to a 75 or 120 in the near future I'd give it thought otherwise pass on it now and think about it. I have to say that a 4x54W T5 setup is probably the best way or even better 2 2x54W so if you expand you can add on easier in the future. I'm living proof in how an anal reefer thinks...