Lights for a 40 breeder

[jdavid]

looking to get lights for a 40 breeder, but I'm not really sure what to go with
I could afford something like a reefbreeders value fixture but I don't know how much area the LEDs cover or if it would be any good for coral growth

Another option would be T5's because they tend to be less expensive and I have seen people do well with all kinds of corals under them. Don't know much about MH. Just interested to hear what you would do if you were setting up a 40 breeder and didn't want to go all out on buying lights

 

[bycjoe]

I think a value reef breeders would be fine on coverage, the only thing I don't like is it is not controllable, so no sunrise/sunset, moonlights you could add a strip of blues on a timer, but that may not bother you at all

 

[jdavid]

not really concerned about the moonlights, and you dont really get a sunrise/sunset with T5's either, lol. as far as that fixture goes, my main concern would be coverage

 

[bycjoe]

Oh I didn't see they were only 16" long, That's a bit if a stretch, you'll at least want the 90 if not 120* optics, and with the right height on the fixture you "should" be fine

 

[jdavid]

well, okay forget cheap what's the way to go? just to get an idea of what I would want ideally, to compare to

 

[CoralShop]

The 24" value fixture would cover a 40B Very well.

I own one, it is a great deal. You won't be disappointed.

 

[jdavid]

I don't see the 24" value fixture, only the controllable one

 

[CoralShop]

Well, the 120 Bridgelux is the one I have. I guess it is 16"

 

[bycjoe]

JDavid;857915 wrote: well, okay forget cheap what's the way to go? just to get an idea of what I would want ideally, to compare to

Everyone has their own opinion, there's pros and cons to MH t5s and LEDs

 

[jdavid]

renoeb;857918 wrote: Well, the 120 Bridgelux is the one I have. I guess it is 16"

but it works well on a 40 breeder

The way I understand it.. SPS in the middle, LPS everywhere but the ends of the tank, and softies at the edge and you will be fine?

Edit:

Bycjoe;857920 wrote: Everyone has their own opinion, there's pros and cons to MH t5s and LEDs

yeah but I don't have enough experience with any of them to make a decision
I just have PC lights on my biocubes

 

[jimmystephens]

If lps and zoas led is it. Mine covers great. If sps then go metal halides

 

[jdavid]

I'm def considering MH as you probably gathered from my texts to you
the only thing is, I have tiled ceilings, and you pretty much have to hang those right. I suppose I could build a shelf

btw, keep the pm's coming ppl. lol

 

[bycjoe]

JDavid;857939 wrote: I'm def considering MH as you probably gathered from my texts to you
the only thing is, I have tiled ceilings, and you pretty much have to hang those right. I suppose I could build a shelf

btw, keep the pm's coming ppl. lol

Assuming your talking drop in ceiling tiles held up with a metal support frame, just hang it from the support frame or even better run it thru the tiles and attach directly to joist. Or just use support bars from the wall attached preferably to the studs.

 

[bycjoe]

Also since it sounds like your on a budget too, keep in mind bulb replacement and energy cost into the equation, LEDs are more expensive up front but down the road it will save you money.

 

[sra_chipmunk]

I'm running 2 250 watt MH with 2 t5's for actinic lighting on my 40 breeder. Right now I'm running 14k Phoenix bulbs but will be switching to 20k XM bulbs as I prefer a little bluer look. I've had my tank running for only about 2 months now.

A buddy of mine is running the exact same lighting as me and has have great success with SPS, LPS and softies in his tank.

 

[jdavid]

sra_chipmunk;858246 wrote: I'm running 2 250 watt MH with 2 t5's for actinic lighting on my 40 breeder. Right now I'm running 14k Phoenix bulbs but will be switching to 20k XM bulbs as I prefer a little bluer look. I've had my tank running for only about 2 months now.

A buddy of mine is running the exact same lighting as me and has have great success with SPS, LPS and softies in his tank.

I just got home with new lights. It's a 24" 250w MH (phoenix bulb in now, gave me two other spectrums) w/ 4 24w ATI T5 actinics and 8 LED blue moonlights. He said just cut two peices of glass to fit the tank silicone them in and set it in the middle

should be good on coverage with a 250w halide right?

 

[heathlindner25]

man that light will work great...lol if you don't like the brace idea buy the hanging kit..

 

[jdavid]

hey now I didn't say who I got it from
I'm just looking for more opinions now it's biased because everybody likes you. go away heath lol

for real though, I'm reading a lot of different things. SRA has 2, but on other forums people are saying 250w is way too much for a 40b and to raise it ten inches off the tank. I don't dislike your idea, I prefer it actually, I'm just trying to get more opinions about what other people think. I appreciate the hook up though! just because someone else might have a different opinion doesn't mean you are wrong.

Edit: for a frag tank, I'm not opposed to the idea of setting it on the table underneath my mounted 42" plasma, and building a wall shelf in between them. Then I could put my DVR and ps# and some dvd's or whatever up on the shelf, and maybe even install higher power outlet or run cords through the wall
(edit-) and hang the lights from the shelf

Edit: btw- can you tell me what the bulbs are in writing so that I can remember. The one with the whole box is the HEXARC BLUE 14,000k, the one in the cardboard sleeve was a 15,000K? it doesnt say on the bulb. and the one in the light is the phoenix (?)K

 

[glaze888]

Well all will do just fine for coral but just keep one thing in mind t5s and halides both need to be replaced every 6-12 months and LEDs life span on most units is a minimum of 5 years to a maximum on a few units have a 10+/- years so if you do pony up the extra cash in the beginning then you will save in the end!!! Also if you do decide to go LED then go with dimmable units bc if you run some LEDs at 100% at setup it can bleach your coral as well just have slowly increase the intensity over time


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