Begginer reef

I have a 55 gallon tank with a single coralife actinic 30 watt bulb and a single 30 watt daylight bulb. Is this adequate lighting for a beginner reef? I also have 50 pounds of (Marshall/Fijian?) live rock. I currently have one yellow eyed tang, an emerald crab, 2 red legged hermits, and turbo snails. The tank has been up for over a year now. I would like to start a reef tank but I'm not sure if I've got the right set up. Is it possible to have a reef tank without spending tons of dinero???? I'm looking for ideas. Thanks

 

koaakane,

Unfortunately the answers are no, no and no

If you want a reef tank then you need to invest in lighting, a lot of corals rely on intense light as a food source and it is vital for their survival.

However if it is a fish only setup that interests you then lighting is nowhere near as important

John

 

if you want keep your old lighting and add, if you have the room a medal halide. if you dont have the room you can add some power compacts. the only bad thing is that you have to change the bulbs every 6 to 8 months. the watage you are looking for is if you want a minor reef tank like leathers and shrooms is about 3 to 5 wattes pergallon of water. if you want other corals such as aporpura you are going to need about 5 to 7 watts per gallon of water.....any other questions. metal halids are good if you have the room for them, they just omit alot of heat, but they last about 1 to 1 1/2 years. they are both costly, but that is the price you pay for a good looking tank. right what is the point of spending all this time and money and not being able to see it.. you can buy a retro kit for your hood at
www.marinedepot.com
try them out and let me know what you think. i am looking for lighting for a 125 gal that i am building. i am just looking for the best price on lighting.