How much lighting do I need for my 55-gallon saltwater tank?

Requirements for T-5 Lighting in saltwater tank?

• I have a 20 gallon saltwater tank that I want to have the T-5 lighting for. I have the standard canopy and light fixture you generally get when first buying a 20 gallon tank. I was just wondering, can I go buy the T-5 bulb and put it in my standard hood fixture, or do I need to go buy a special light fixture for the bulb? My light fixture says 17 W. I assume that means 17 watts. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Please, don't answer if you don't actually have experience using T-5 lighting.

• Answer:

  If your talking about a T-8 as the "standard" canopy then no. T-5 bulbs have a miniature bi-pin base while a T-8 has a medium bi-pin base, the ballasts are different and the lengths are different (they may say the same length but the t-5 is a little bit shorter. Sorry!