55 Gallon Lighting

[rainantracy]

My first time posting here =) Im new at this sort of thing, and I think im getting overwhelmed with all the lighting solutions that are available.

My wife and I are putting together a 55 gallon reef tank that we intend to keep various polyp corals, mushroom coral, and possibly some of the SPS varieties (once I get the hang of things).

My local shop has instisted that a Coralife PC setup is all that I need for our intentions. Its the one with 4 pc bulbs, with a total wattage of 260. From reading these posts, that watt number seems a little low. Am I wrong? Or will these corals thrive under those lights?

Im not on a unlimited budget either, which is swaying my options a bit I think. $400 is around the dollar figure that I'm trying to stay around.

Thanks in advance,

Tracy and Raina

[tendar]

If you looking to go with SPS in the future you will want to get halides. SPS will survive under the PC lighting the store suggested but you wont the colors or growth that you will under halides. For all the octher corals mention those lights will be good.