new to lighting

I just started a 75 gallon tank. (48L 18w 20H around it I want to upgrade my lighting pretty soon as I only have the one stock bulb. I am lost on the whole lighting thing though. I want something I can buy once without upgrading in the future except maybe bulbs. I would like to be able to grow the nice corals and inverts I see in you guys/gals tanks.
My questions are where are some cheap lighting fixtures or retro kits OR the complete setup i can get. Buy one setup? or buy two diff ones? any detailed DIY for full lighting setups? Im in the research stage so any help will help. sorry if all asked before just trying to compile what I need to do. thx again

 

Do you have any corals in mind? I would say if you just wanna buy one setup and never have to get another one, I would get a 2x175watt metal halide or a 6bulb t5 setup. It also depends on how much you wanna spend.

 

Not sure of the corals I want. like i said still just cycling my tank. I do have around 75 pounds of LR and about a 3'' sand bed. I do want corals and inverts though. Just trying to figure out the cheapest way to build or buy a setup. So just get 2x175 MH? is that all ill need? been trying to figure out how to get the diff setups and just mount them in my wooden top or buy a fixture. thx again.

 

I have a 75g tank and I run PC lights, but I was going to upgrade to metal halides until I read something about T5s. Here is a simple comparison for MHs vs T5s.

250w MH put out 20K lumens
216w T5 (4x54w) puts out 20K lumens

So if you went with a 8x54w T5 setup, it would be equal to running 2x250w MH with the added bonus's of not EVER having to run a chiller because T5s are so much cooler to run, the bulbs are A LOT cheaper to replace (also if one bulb stops working, you have 7 others to keep working until you buy a new one) and also not to mention the electric bill is about half of what MHs use.

There is some debate over the aestitics of MH vs T5s over the "glimmer/shimmer" lines. I saw a 180g with T5s and it had them, that sold me on the T5s, So I am gathering the cash to go with a 8x54w T5 setup.

 

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I agree that T5 HO's are a good light source. And if I had to start over again I would try them over metal halides. Mostly for the aspect of heat generation. However if we follow your theory that I would need 8 x54w T5 to replace my 2-250W metal halides the electrical bill would be based on 432 Watts vs 500. Which is definitely not half of 500. It would be 86.4 % which is about 13.6 percent cheaper. Which will add up in the long run ;D

Jim

 

You have to look at the replacement cost associated with replacing (8) T5 HO bulbs into the equasion!! I think if I were to get that type of bulb, I would go with T6's!

 

so if you guys/gals saying I need to run the 4x54 t5s or the 8 sized fixture? Im looking at marinedepot and trying to compare prices and lights. Want to buy this one time if i can help it. still researching though >

 

I would say get a 6 bulb setup off reefgeek.com. Thats what I am going to get when I get my tax return!!!

 

It is going to be based, alot, on what you plan on keeping in your tank! IMO, you will be better off and have more flexibility, if you can get the most light that you can!!!! Their are ways of being able to adjust lights and coral placement to fit the corals lighting requirements, into the scheme of your lighting intensity!
By getting the most lighting now, you will save yourself from having to upgrade and spend more $$$$ later as I am guilty of that 3times over!!!!