Prop Tank Set Up...Suggestions on Lighting?
 

I am considering making my 55 gallon freshwater tank, into a saltwater prop tank. I'm trying to make this as cheap as possible seeing as how I am a poverty stricken college student. My set up will consist of:

Filtration:
Emperor 500 Bio Wheel Filter

Skimmer:
Aqua C Remora

Substrate:
Live Sand

Lighting:
T8 fixture from Lowes. Buying coral life bulbs from Hellolights, three Actinic and one daylight.

The most controversal part of this whole set up are the lights, do you think that I can make an effective prop tank with a T8 fixture from Lowes and the bulbs from coral life?

What are you trying to prop? I'm not sure you'd have enough par running mostly actinic bulbs. Also, to maximize light using T-8's, it would be better to use a shallow tank (like a 40 breeder) rather than a taller tank like your 55. Maybe you can pick one up cheap in the used equip forum or on Craig's list. I know our Petco's have occasional buck a gallon sales on tanks.

Depends on what you want to grow. I would say just use 3 6.5k bulbs from lowes to get the most par.