MH lighting

I want to order MH today. I was thinking of getting 36" MH, and hang it. My tank is only 55g and less then 20" deep. Can I get away with this size and save a little money?

 

It sounds like you are looking at a combined MH and PC fixture. How many watts for each? PCs should extend the length of the tank for the best coverage. I think a standard 55 is 48"

 

That's what I thought

 

Go with the mh175(2) and 96 watt power compacts(2). It will allow you to grow basically anything except possibly, Gonipora and some acros. 48" in length

 

I have 2 goniopora and I don't know how they're doing so well, along with everything else (with only compact light).

 

For a few bucks more you can get a 250 in there. Oh, don't go by me... I have 2 x 250 and a 400 mh on the 300 plus 440 of PC. I've been converted to the sunny side.

 

I keep a goniopora under compact and vho lighting and its doubled in size since I bought it.

 

Your lucky, because Goniopora usually require very strong lighting. You must have very good water parameters to cater to goniopora. Where do you have the coral in your tank? Up high or middle of tank? Did you buy the Goniopora as a wild or aquacultured coral? Was it a frag? Did the pet shop display the coral in a metal halide tank or power compact?
It's awesome that you are having success, because, I had experimented with Goniopora with pc's as well. The coral lasted about a month-then adios dead!!!!!

 

Goniopora is not a max light coral. It is recommended for medium to strong light. It's biggest difficulty is that it only like prestean water and high flow. But VHO is fine for Goniopora.
http://www.dets.com/Gonio/goniopora.htm
http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen20.html
J

 

Both goniopora are wild and in the middle.