Lighting Upgrade

Ok so my current setup is 29 gallon long tank with only 1 florescent light across the top
I am going to convert my 55 Gallon to saltwater but have a lighting question
The standard hood lights on my 55 only contain 1 bulb on each side.
I would say the fixture is 24' X2
the tanks is 48'
Im on a budget but would like some corals that dont require the extreme lighting.
Would this fixture be suitable for saltwater?
AQUARIUM LIGHT 48" REEF ODYSSEA 260WT POWER COMPACT #U3 - eBay (item 360122337798 end time Feb-06-09 18:38:13 PST)

 

if your going cheap you may as well go cheap t5 Aquarium Lightings - T5 Lighting and T6 Lighting
pc lights aren't very good, atleast with the t5 fixture eventually when you replace the bulbs you should end up with a pretty good fixture. the oddysea brand comes with very low quality bulbs.
thats my vote anyway.

i haven't ordered from aquatraders before but i have ordered from topdogsellers before
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-T5-HO-High-O...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1307|301:1|293:1|294:50
theres are more expensive but i do know they inspect every product to make sure it works before the send it out.

 

Could you explain to me what t5, t6 is ?
I have no clue on the meaning of it.
Wished it showed a picture of the fixture thou.
Its cheaper than the one i posted on ebay.
And by your recommendation must be better

 

t5 HO(high output) is newer then Power compact. it also has better penetration of the water allowing you to keep corals deeper and meaning more light reaches the corals.
Why T5 HO Fluorescent Lighting for my Reef Aquuarium?
they can probably explain it better.

also heres a t5 vs pc thread http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/t5-vs-pc-35101.html


edit i think t6 is the same thing as t5 but its made to fit older sockets of the t8's and t12's, if you buy from aquatraders make sure you get t5 because you don't see t6 bulbs as often. so ie t5 doesn't fit in t6 sockets and t6 doesn't fit in t5 sockets.

 

i have ordered from aquatraders before they are good about shipping. but i dont really like odyssea products. that being said, i would skimp to much on lights. they are one of the most important purches of your tank. t5 are the way to go, you cant keep very much in with PC.

 

The t5 vs Pc thread had alot of info i was looking for thank you. I believe i will be going with a t5 system

 

Just 1 more question.
Do i go with an all glass canopy?
Or Have nothing to cover the top of aquarium?
Thanks

 

glass tends to trap in heat, you can do glass as long as your tank doesn't get to hot and you clean the saltcreep. i usually don't do covers on my tanks if i use a fixture, if i use a retrofit kit i make a wood canopy.

btw since i don't cover those with fixture i avoid fish that have a rep for jumping.

 

a good reason to not cover is for air transfer to keep your ph from droppin