Newbee light ?

I have a 55 gal. tank, it is 48" long and 13" wide, Do I have to have a 48" light or can I use a 36" light? The 36" would save my alittle money, but will it provide enough light for my future corals ? I am looking at the Current SunPod MH. 300 watt,, Thanks

 

Hello! I have a 55 and I use a 36" light only for the simple fact that I clicked the wrong button when I ordered it. So far so good. It's been since April, I guess and all looks good. You should though make sure it's centered good. My tank is btw a FOWLR. Not sure how it would do with corals?

 

It will be fine as long as you have it high off the water and use a reflector. So it will work like a v well an upside down v /\ at the top is the light and it will filter down to all.

 

You will have less irradiance at both ends due to the shortness of the bulb to the length of the tank. I would avoid placing higher ligh corals at those places to ensur proper lighting.
Remember that a halide bulb is a point source light, where as T5's, power compacts etc. generate their light from the ENTIRE length of the tube(bulb)!