40 gallon breeder lighting?

[jerl77]

what lights should i put on my new 40 breeder?

 

[cparka23]

what do you want to keep?

 

[reefdan]

figuring out what you're keeping is the first step.

i have an 8x39w fixture and keep lps and sps. a 6x39 would have been plenty. a 4x39 would work for softies but wont give you much spread.

i 250w will work for sps but a 40 breeder is only 16 inches deep so it might fry any low light corals unless heavily shaded and on the outskirts

 

[plainrt]

4 bulb is plenty for most corals not just softies like the above said lol.I see many people with 40b's with 6 bulbs saying its way too much light and wish had 4 bulbs instead.My 4 bulb tek is plenty over mine and covers well so dont know what talking about.Also good bulbs and reflectors are a major factor also.

 

[gilmour01]

the importance of a 6 bulb fixture comes in to play when your trying to get a certain look/color with bulbs. a 6 bulb fixture gives you a little more flexibility.

 

[cveverly]

I ran a Nova Extreme Pro over my 40 breeder. Worked out well once I replaced the stock lamps. You can also get two Nova Extreme SLR fixtures giving you 8 lamps by 39 watts. That is what I run on my 58. Once again replace the stock lamps when you have the extra cash.

 

[subielover]

I have a 6x39 t5 over my 40 breeder and it is perfect, IMO.

 

[jerl77]

thanks lps and sps and zoos

 

[ficklefins]

2 x 150W DE with 20K Radiums

 

[mevstheworld]

I use 4 36" T5's overdriven on a 40 breeder. I have every kind ( LPS,SPS,soft) and have no problems keeping any of them. All encrusting, growing and smiling every day I think the 6 bulb would be perfect if not over driven. There are some really nice light combos you can pull off with 6. Good luck with whatever you go with....

 

[FateX8]

i have a 2x150w mh 4x39w t5 current outer orbit pro fixture if youre interested

 

[JR's Reef]

I say if T5 6bulb tek and if MH go with 2 150/175s

 

[dacro]

I run a Nova Extreme Pro over my 40 breeder. Worked out well once I replaced the stock lamps.

+1
I miss the shimmer of hallides, but have been pleased with the Pro series. If I had it all to do over again, I would have spent the extra $$$ and bought a Tek series.:smile:

 

[reefanatic]

6 bulbs is overkill if you plan on keeping LPS anywhere but on the sandbed in shady areas. They'll be getting way to much light anywhere else. I'd stick with a 4 bulb.

 

[AlexStinson]

I run a 250w 20k halide and 4x 39watt t5's overdriven to 60 watts... and I still want more

 

[Bri Guy]

I run 1 250W 14K Phoenix and 2 96w PC's on my 40BR, and everythings doin great

 

[oceanparadise1]

6 bulb tek all day

 

[Oimate84]

Good advice by others. I run 4x39watt T5's on my frag tank, they arent overdriven either, but I can keep and get great colors out of all my SPS/LPS/softies. The only bad side is the spread from front of the tank to back is not the great. being the fixture is only about 8". I might upgrade to a 6bulb tek in the near future, and as others said this would provide more bulb combinations to get certain colors out of my corals.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

20K Radium MH

 

[rroselavy]

6 bulb T5 HO

I recently got an ATI Sunpower 6x24w from Reefgeek. Love it. At 20 inches over the SB, I'm measuring 200 PAR on the sand. Temp swings only 0.7 degrees F every day. The 6x39w would be perfect on a 40B, and would probably get even higher PAR at the same height.

Tek lamp would work nearly as well, but you have to run a cooling fan when they are on, which will increase your evaporation.