40 Breeder Lighting Suggestions

Rhino · Jun 12, 2014

I am about to start my upgrade and will be going to a 40 breeder. I have been doing lots of research on pros and cons of different lighting technologies. I am having a really hard time deciding which way to go. I have only been into reefing for a little over a year so I don't have much experience with lighting. I have only used T5. I am open to all options and opinions on this build. I considered a T5/MH combo. A tried and true combo, though I also understand the cons to this setup. I am also interested in led. I have my eyes on Kessil since it appears they don't suffer from the disco ball effect some LEDs do, I also like how unobtrusive they are. I also know many of you use LEDs so I am interested in hearing your experiences. I am curious if there has been any difference in growth rate for any of you all between led and what you used to use. I plan on mainly keeping softies and some Lps, main focus is going to be ricordeas and zoas. I may toss in one or two SPS. So please give me your thoughts and opinions. Thanks in advance everyone!!

YodaHart · Jun 12, 2014

Based on your livestock, I would stick with T-5 or go with LED. If you like LED, do you want a controllable fixture so you can do sunrise and sunset? The reefbreeders fixtures are pretty nice and not expensive at all. A 24" fixture would be perfect for a 40B.

cope413 · Jun 12, 2014

I just purchased a Dm-155e from ReefRadiance for my 40B, and it looks fantastic. My corals have never been happier or bigger. Better light than Reefbreeders for the same price. Pretty tough to beat $179 shipped.

NanaReefer · Jun 12, 2014

I've got the Reef Radiance LumenTek Pro 180 over my 40B...love it!!

Rhino · Jun 12, 2014

cope413 said:
I just purchased a Dm-155e from ReefRadiance for my 40B, and it looks fantastic. My corals have never been happier or bigger. Better light than Reefbreeders for the same price. Pretty tough to beat $179 shipped.

How many of the dm-155e are you using? I wondered if I would have to have more than one for good coverage.

Rhino · Jun 12, 2014

YodaHart said:
Based on your livestock, I would stick with T-5 or go with LED. If you like LED, do you want a controllable fixture so you can do sunrise and sunset? The reefbreeders fixtures are pretty nice and not expensive at all. A 24" fixture would be perfect for a 40B.

To be honest I have not given much thought to the sunrise or sunset thing. I will have to do a little research on this.

Rhino · Jun 12, 2014

NanaReefer said:
I've got the Reef Radiance LumenTek Pro 180 over my 40B...love it!!

How long have you been using it? Is there anything you don't like about it?

cope413 · Jun 12, 2014

1 with 120 degree optics. I'm not even at 50% yet, so I expect it to be more than enough.

Rhino · Jun 12, 2014

cope413 said:
1 with 120 degree optics. I'm not even at 50% yet, so I expect it to be more than enough.

Thanks for the info!

NanaReefer · Jun 13, 2014

Rhino said:
How long have you been using it? Is there anything you don't like about it?

It's been running for 4 days-lol-but I gotta say, I love these lights!! I've been running T5HO for 3yrs and there is NO comparison. To me the LED's are so crisp and clean looking. Offer so many options and I even have shimmer! Something you normally only get with MH.
I'm very happy with them! Oh and so far my corals from my T5HO tank are doing quite well, big plus!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1402685532.947487.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1402685562.189348.jpg

Rhino · Jun 13, 2014

NanaReefer said:
It's been running for 4 days-lol-but I gotta say, I love these lights!! I've been running T5HO for 3yrs and there is NO comparison. To me the LED's are so crisp and clean looking. Offer so many options and I even have shimmer! Something you normally only get with MH.
I'm very happy with them! Oh and so far my corals from my T5HO tank are doing quite well, big plus!

Very nice! I really like the way this looks. I am seriously considering pulling the trigger on this fixture now.

Pete polyp · Jun 13, 2014

Check this out...

http://m.ebay.com/itm/351057968987

I have one on my 40 and a 24" over my 29.

Beradd · Jun 13, 2014

i use the DM 155e as well over a 40 breeder for about 6 months now...if u go this route expect dark areas. the optics on them are pretty much strait down so you will have really good par directly under the lamps, but darkness on the edges... I was told to get good coverage with this just keep raising the lights up till u get good coverage... I stopped raising them up after they were about 20 inches off the water. still have dark areas..
all in all I do like this light ...I grow SpS under the lamps up high, and zoes and palys all around the edges on the bottom. I have often wanted to augment the blue these lamps put out with a few t5's, as I have the blue channel maxed out and the color gets really washed out as u approach 50-60% white., adding some blue t5 would really put the blue crispness and pop back in the corals. also a lot of people are claiming better coloration with t5 vs led...I think a combo of both would be outstanding. hope that helps

NanaReefer · Jun 13, 2014

^^This is why I chose the 180. At 12 1/2" from the waters surface I get complete coverage, no shadowing at all. Plus the programming is amazing!

Pete polyp · Jun 13, 2014

here's what I'm seeing more and more of with LED.... "I'm adding t5". Then why not just go with t5 to start with? If you want the blue LED color pop you can add a strip of LED for much less than starting with a LED fixture.

Defective_Weeble · Jun 14, 2014

Pete polyp said:
Check this out...

LCD Timer 36" 234W 6X39W Fluorescent Actinic T5 HO Aquarium Light Fixture Marine | eBay

I have one on my 40 and a 24" over my 29.

How hard would it be to replace the timers on that? That's the only thing that worries me about "off brand" fixtures. I can easily put whatever ballasts and reflectors that I want, but the timers are another story.