Aquarium Lighting Power

Aquarium Lighting Power
Can anyone provide opinion on the different brands of T5 and Power Compact lighting for Marine Aquariums?

I am planning to purchase lighting for my new 55 gallon marine aquarium. I have posted several questions regarding live rock and lighting and have gotten some excellent advice. I have gotten a number of suggestions and I need at least 220 - 275 watts. What brand of lighting is better (coralife, giesemann,USA orbit/satellite) and personal experience feedback appreciated greatly! Again, thanks for all the previous advice and maybe with help I can get through this without an oceanography degree!

I don't know that any brand is really that much better. The biggest difference between models is the type of housing, so if you like something "slim" go with the coralife (this is what I use, coralife double tube compact fluorescent). If it doesn't matter if it sticks up from your tank, I know lots of folks who use the orbits as well.

What makes the most difference should be the output (wattage) per fixture, and the wavelength (around 10,000K is best, but I know the 50/50 and actinic look good). Fans are good for dissipating heat. "Moon-glow" features look nice, but shouldn't be left on all night, so this is just another timer to have to buy (not to mention the one fixture I have this on has two "moon" spots on opposite ends of the tank - I don't know what planet this ocean is supposed to be on!).

Also, consider what you have in the tank - a lot of this is overkill if you've only got fish. Corals, anemones, & clams have different lighting needs - If you're just keeping a few, easy soft corals, you don't need as intense as if you are/are planning to keep stony corals with intense lighting needs.

Another practical piece of advice is what replacement lamps do stores near you carry and that is the price? Unless you buy two sets of lamps (one for a back-up) and replace the backups as soon as you put them in the fixture, it's almost a sure thing for the tubes to fizzle at the most inconvenient time! Make sure you can replace lamps regularly and easily!

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