At a loss in regards to lighting

[lastlight]

what's your budget?

[ScubaSteve]

And think about what you will want to me growing down the road mostly. LPS, softies, sps? I know you said softies, but what kind? Zoas, Xenia? Some zoos can almost be like sps in terms of light.

[Brandon5555]

Essentially I want to grow anything. I know my limits on what I can and cant keep and what not, my budget is basically 500 and under.

[lastlight]

500 all in with bulbs? Chances are you're looking at mh or t5, LED if you DIY.

[Aquattro]

I'd look at one of those coralife 250w MH fixtures (used), or something similar.

[lastlight]

I've got a really beat up 36" maristar fixture. it's 2x250w and the T5 ballasts are shot. I have no doubt this can still light a 48" tank and you could raise it a bit too.

You'd have to pickup the mh ballasts but I'll give you the fixture itself for free =)

[Brandon5555]

Wow thanks! I might just have to take you up on that! Ill give you a couple corals as well! In regards to a ballast. What am I looking at for one of those? Would I have to hit eecol electric or something?