MH or t5 39watts x 6 over a 40 breeder

[anthony27]

I am having issues with lighting and I wanted to know what you all thought. I want to try new lighting because I want more sps in my tank.

I was thinking of going one 250watt with a 14k and 2 39 inch t5s

Or
just go 2 ice cap ballests 440 and aquatinic reflectors.

 

[DrHarryLopez]

i dont have a 40 breeder on my system. I bought it but its sitting in my garage

As far lighting I perfer MH 175W for 18" or shallower, 250's for 24" n deeper. 10KK for sps to grow for 8 hrs/day n actinics X12hrs daily. Just my opinion

 

[qy7400]

A single MH will not fill the tank IMO, you'll need a LumenBright/LumenArc reflector hung about 16" off the water to get the spread. Best bet is either 2x175W or 6x39W T5, MH if you want the shimmer or T5 if you want to play with color temps and less shadowing.

 

[batt600]

Hay every body lets not forget about the heat the MH will put out like double what the t5 will put out.

 

[pmoneyt]

6 t5 is what I would use. Heat is the first concern then light coverage.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

he is in a basment that is cool and has AC
He wants all SPS and great growth. I suggested (1) 400w from a LumenArc III reflector about 10inches off water with a 20k bulb
if not 2-250w
if he is worried about heat Icecap sells a reflector with glass cover to reduce heat
Anthony tell us what is your budget $$

 

[Staaan]

Wouldn't a 400w be like... (over) overkill.. lol.

Its just 18" deep. Plus I think that much light intensity is bound to just fry/bleach some coral. if its not properly placed..

I think the best bet for Ant is to build a DIY Led fixture. It's definitely easier to maintain and just as effective as MH, from what I've seen so far.

And IMO.. just looks nicer.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

look at this thread, scroll down to Reefbum, he has 1 - 400w MH on a smaller tank then Anthony and tells me he has sick growth on his sps in thaty frag tank

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1870401&highlight=frag+tank

 

[E.intheC]

Anthony- I have a 40 breeder with a 250 watt MH. Its great. I have enough intensity for any type of SPS in the middle and on the outer sides you can keep your beloved zoanthids. (or lower light sps or lps). You don't notice a difference visually but there is obviously less light on the sides. If you were to add 2x 39 watt T5's it would be plenty.

 

[Staaan]

Guess I'm wrong then... :splitspin

If you got the funds... do it dude.

Maybe you'll actually let some stuff grow out... before clippn' it. :lol: :bablefish

 

[James983]

I would do a 6 bulb t5 setup. No heat issues and no shadows.

 

[mandarin13]

go with the t-5s if you wanna stop by some day and check out what it looks like let me know i have 2 40b's with 6 ho t-5's on them and keep lots of sps the best part of t-5 is the lighting combos you can use 1 65k which will give you the best growth a 12k or 14k which gives you that mid range and then there is a whole bunch of acctinics to chose from i only use a 65k 14k 420 460 figi purple and a redwave i have also got a 20k 250 reflux on the 40 in my room but thats just for show and i get terrible groth out of it plus i need a chiller to keep it cool and i too live in a basement

 

[anthony27]

What light do I need I have 6 t5 now and and worknhorse ballests, to up grade that light with ice cap and aquatinica it will cost me 300 and over. I have the money but I'm better off buying a new light.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[cdamiano]

I have a 250W halide on my 40 breeder frag tank. I'm using a Lumenbright mini reflector. I put LPS, softies and other less light demanding corals on the sides of the tank and keep the SPS in the middle.

 

[Alex]

go with the t-5s if you wanna stop by some day and check out what it looks like let me know i have 2 40b's with 6 ho t-5's on them and keep lots of sps the best part of t-5 is the lighting combos you can use 1 65k which will give you the best growth a 12k or 14k which gives you that mid range and then there is a whole bunch of acctinics to chose from i only use a 65k 14k 420 460 figi purple and a redwave i have also got a 20k 250 reflux on the 40 in my room but thats just for show and i get terrible groth out of it plus i need a chiller to keep it cool and i too live in a basement

You have any pics?

 

[batt600]

he is in a basment that is cool and has AC
He wants all SPS and great growth. I suggested (1) 400w from a LumenArc III reflector about 10inches off water with a 20k bulb
if not 2-250w
if he is worried about heat Icecap sells a reflector with glass cover to reduce heat
Anthony tell us what is your budget $$

What does that matter . My house is old and is alway cold during the winter but when i had my MH on my tank my chiller was always running to cool down the tank . And i dont own a heater for this tank . Now i have T5 and chiller doesnt run that much. Now i need a heater for the winter

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

that means he can always put the Ac on if tank temps get to high. Even a fan can cool a tank down. A chiller is not always a must for MH

 

[batt600]

that means he can always put the Ac on if tank temps get to high. Even a fan can cool a tank down. A chiller is not always a must for MH

He has central air i dont think the people up stair will like the ac on during the winter

 

[anthony27]

I just had jarret test my water and the water is perfict.

cal 450
mag 1500
alk 10.6
ppm 0.00

now you tell me hmmmm could it be my work horse ballests, well they are certianlly not working for me in the least.


Chris, I know I have heard stores of the sps you have so I could imagin the 250w would be amazing

 

[anthony27]

lol, the ppl up stairs are my inlaws.