Suggestions for lighting 55 gallon

I have a 55 gallon, 48 in across x 12.5 in wide x 19 in high. I currently have hammer coral, pulsing xenia, yellow polyps, green star polyps, a branching leather and some various mushrooms, as well as a pair of tomato clowns, a coral beauty angel and royal gramma in the tank. I do not currently have a canopy, just have Power compact lighting fixture setting on top.
My 4x65 power compact lighting fixture seems to have taken a dive, and so I'm looking to replace it. I don't (can't) spend thousands of dollars, but if I'm able to get things to where I can keep some other corals so much the better. I've been looking at T5 HO fixtures, VHO fixtures (T12) and LED's as these all seem to fall into my price range ($500 or less) and could probably get me the light I need. My LFS suggested the new Marineland Reef capable LED lights, or VHOs. He seemed to think that the T5's don't have the penetration to get to the bottom of my tank if I have anything that low. From what I've seen, most everyone else seems to think that the T5's are the way to go. The LEDs have the attraction of not having to replace bulbs and no heat etc. , but I'm just not sure they'd be enough to keep what I've got and/or get more. The VHO's seem OK, but not sure they are better than the T5's. Can anyone give me any insight into what they think would be a good choice - this is a lot of money to spend and so I want to make a good choice. Help?

 

Mr Bond

your LFS is mistaken about what is achievable with T5s IME

19 inch depth is nothing to worry about, and all the corals you listed above, plus many others would be fine even as far down as the sand bed under a 4 lamp T5 fixture

I have a 6 lamp T5 unit
and if I went bare bottom, I could keep moderate light requiring SPS in the cabinet below the tank LOL

Steve

 

LOL I second Steve's assertion. I would suggest going T5HO or LED. T5HO is cheaper for a set up that will let you keep SPS and clams. A 4 bulb unit will allow you to do just that also.

 

If I were to go with T5's and needing/wanting a fixture (since I have no canopy), and knowing I can't hang anything (just because of where the tank is located), any suggestions on a specific brand and/or model to start with, understanding that the bulbs can be changed if necessary or wanted?

 

T5 ,led .

what are their differen?
I Just got a small fish tank.I wanna a light to make it looks more beautiful.

 

go Tek IMHO for the light unit and ATI with the lamps (Geisseman as second choice on lamps)
If you get a 4 lamp Tek fixture with legs, you will be good to go with any coral you like

Steve

 

LED is relatively new, runs cooler and is being proven
T5 has been around longer and has thus far been proven by many

what do you want to keep Jashca?
if its just fish then anything that helps you see them will be fine

Steve

 

all t5 systems run the same basicly the difference is reflectors and bulbs if you place your own bulbs in than no need in a 600 dollar system ati or giesman bulbs as suggested but i find that the coralife t5ho works really well with a 55 75 or 90 gallon tank
alone i had only one of these on the 90 gallon tank and it kept lps sps brains polyps and only no clams

so with that being said water quality plays a huge part lighting is only one aspect of keeping corals i would put 2 on the 55 gallon tank that would be full coverage and you can run 2 actinics on one strip and 2 10k or whatvers on the other setting so its controllable

 

I agree, I have a 55 and my t5's do great, I even have a clam on the sand bed doing fine. I bought a cheap, 150 dollar oddysea fixture and put in quality KZ and UV bulbs. 250 and set. Until I upgrade to LED when i build my 36x36x24 starfire rimless dream tank ;D

 

I have a 4 bulb T5HO unit and its working great. The only coral I have is my GSP, which sits on the sand bed, and is thriving like crazy.