Need Help Choosing a Lighting Solution
 

Hello all. I am new to saltwater and have hit a wall. I can't decide which type of lighting fixture to go with. I would really appreciate some insight. Hoping you all could vote which light you would recommend for a Salty Noob. As for planned livestock, start with softies and work my way up to SPS in a year or two. Thanks. Build journal to follow once I figure out how to photobucket pics here, Lol!

Personally, I wouldn't suggest you to get high end LED fixtures yet since you plan of moving to SPS in a "year or two" which is a long time considering how LEDs technologies are changing in every six months. Or maybe you can go for fixtures like AI sol or vega (or maybe some generic chinese fixture) for now and when time comes, get a higher end fixture. Since you are going softies for now, I wouldn't put much pressure on lighting ;) Just my $0.05.

how big is the tank?

65gal, 36 x 18 with DSB... so about 19" deep.

Weekend bump... please vote!

I think most newbies should start with T5s. They are reasonably priced, and you can even grow many SPS under them if you want. They are versatile too...you can use bulbs with less PAR for lower light conditions or you can use bulbs with higher PAR for corals like SPS. Most newbie friendly corals do better under lower lighting, plus algae is less of a problem.

I wouldn't bother with any LEDs besides the top end fixtures, and that is quite a big chunk of cash for a newbie to chew.

+lots

I respectfully disagree Mindy.....while cheaper to begin with T5s and MH will burn you(pun intended) in the long run with bulb changes and other associated costs.....the better LED units units will allow much more flexabillty in all aspects....intensity, color and programing.....why start with a unit that you wont be able to give away in a couple years?

People can't give away those units now meaning a noob can acquire cheaply.

Investing in a decent LED setup is a bit risky considering plenty of noobs jump ship shortly after starting. Less financial risk I think. Unit cheap. Pony up for prob 4 bulbs. Go from there.

decent LED unit holds its value(more so then T5 and MH in todays market) and is actually sell-able if he does decide to bail:wink: