40g Breeder lighting

[kaijor]

Just curious what would you suggest for 40g breeder. I’m thinking of a mixed reef at the moment. In general, I don't want my lights to be limiting factor in terms of coral. Any suggestion would be much appreciated.

 

[Uncle99]

I can grow everything with an inexpensive Viparspectra 165watts. It’s just light though, no fancy controller stuff.

I’ve used nicrews 150watt three puck, and 100 watt 2 pucks with great success as well, but again, if your looking for high controllability, these lights are not an option.

I believe your tank is 36” so two 100 watt nicrews would have tons of intensity and likely run at best 50% or so.

 

[kaijor]

I can grow everything with an inexpensive Viparspectra 165watts. It’s just light though, no fancy controller stuff.

I’ve used nicrews 150watt three puck, and 100 watt 2 pucks with great success as well, but again, if your looking for high controllability, these lights are not an option.

I believe your tank is 36” so two 100 watt nicrews would have tons of intensity and likely run at best 50% or so.

Sorry, I just want to make sure that I don't misunderstand, would one 150 watt nicrew work for 40g?


Also, if I wanted more controllable, what would you suggest? Just trying to understand options.

 

[JoJosReef]

3 Noopsyche Minis and you're golden.

 

[kaijor]

3 Noopsyche Minis and you're golden.

Oh wow your reef tank is beautiful! What settings do you use?

 

[Ef4life]

1 orphek atlantik will do great.

 

[areefer01]

1 orphek atlantik will do great.

Well you wouldn't have to run it 100% and if you should every upgrade you will be able to carry it forward.

 

[kaijor]

1 orphek atlantik will do great.

Not sure if I can afford that right now lol

 

[JoJosReef]

Oh wow your reef tank is beautiful! What settings do you use?

 

[kaijor]

Thank you!

 

[Solo McReefer]

Sorry, I just want to make sure that I don't misunderstand, would one 150 watt nicrew work for 40g?


Also, if I wanted more controllable, what would you suggest? Just trying to understand options.

Rare that a single LED light could work for coverage. The panel style lights would work

Your options are limited by what you are willing to spend. Budget limited options

Since no one know what your budget limits are, posters are recommending lights within their budget limits

I had long DIY LED fixture when I ran a 40B. And T5s, 36in fixtures over other 40B tanks. Those were the limits of my budget back then.

Today, I would put 2 Radion XR30s for coverage, or equivalent over a 40B. But I also overcrowd today too. And they don't even have to be new XR30s, gens 1 thru 5 all grew corals fine. All of the improvements have mostly been for human eyes(and controls), not really corals

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

i’ve got 2 kessil A360x over my 36 inch tank. They aren’t cheap but they are great for shimmer. I haven’t measured par yet.

 

[kaijor]

Rare that a single LED light could work for coverage. The panel style lights would work

Your options are limited by what you are willing to spend. Budget limited options

Since no one know what your budget limits are, posters are recommending lights within their budget limits

I had long DIY LED fixture when I ran a 40B. And T5s, 36in fixtures over other 40B tanks. Those were the limits of my budget back then.

Today, I would put 2 Radion XR30s for coverage, or equivalent over a 40B. But I also overcrowd today too. And they don't even have to be new XR30s, gens 1 thru 5 all grew corals fine. All of the improvements have mostly been for human eyes(and controls), not really corals

Understood! Yeah, I should’ve stated my budget. I think around $450 or so.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Understood! Yeah, I should’ve stated my budget. I think around $450 or so.

2 used Radion Gen3s hung lengthwise then, is what I would put over it for $450

Or a 36" Reefbreeders fixture. I've never used Reefbreeder lights myself, but they have a good reputation from those who use them

Jason Fox uses No Name Chinese panel LEDs in his Coral farm. WWC has some new videos on YouTube of him and his setup

I could make a DIY 36" panel, but I don't have the patience to make DIY LEDs any longer. Have the stuff tho, in boxes covered in dust

 

[oreo54]

Understood! Yeah, I should’ve stated my budget. I think around $450 or so.

Week Aqua, Aqua medic, Nicrew, Noopsyche, Micmol, Hyggar and few other lets say 2nd tier lights should get you the power you want and that price point.
But starting cheap and sort of old school. Manual dimmer and off/on timer (extra)

Opps forgot Smatfarms..

Think you can just click on the blue text..

 

[VintageReefer]

I lit a 40b with a reefbreeders photon 32. Used you can find under 500$

Can grow any type of coral in any spot with a photon 32 over a 40b. Full even coverage, excellent spectrum, power to spare

 

[Roatan Reef]

I started with a Fluval Marine 3.0, strip light,,ran that only for a while, and it was decent ,,then added a gently used almost brand new AI Prime 16hd, couldn't be happier. Eventually i will add 2 more Prime 16hds and remove the strip light.

Tank is a 40GB.

 

[Bruttall]

When it comes to lights there are a lot of options. I do not know how techy you are, but I'll give some of the data I used when I choose my lights.

First i wanted a powerful controllable programmable led light, that eliminated most of the chinese blackbox (Viparspectre). Second consideration was Price.

Here is some side by side comparison data

The Reefi-Lab uno 2.0 is hands down the best bang for your buck with the price per wattage, not to mention they are the most powerful light currently on the market with the BEST WARRANTY AVAILABLE AT 3 YEARS!!!

Here is my tank


Here are some growth pics from my tank. Stylo and Plating monti 1 yr apart.


I have mine mounted 12 inches above water, at 125watts at peak I am getting 80 to 100 par on my sandbed in 27inches of water. USE A PAR METER TO SET THESE LIGHTS UP.

Light Profile I am using

Good Luck to you.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

As mentioned above there is a world of options open for you. I light my 40 breeder with 150 watt metal halide supplemented with 2 OR3 bars. Its super overkill, but its what I like.

 

[Uncle99]

Sorry, I just want to make sure that I don't misunderstand, would one 150 watt nicrew work for 40g?


Also, if I wanted more controllable, what would you suggest? Just trying to understand options.

Yup 1 150 watt nicrew.

Radions have great control, but are 3-4x the price.

Fish don’t care about light and Corals don’t care about controls, it’s reefers that like controls, like cloud cover and lightening storms and controlling each and every colour individually.

Corals just want stable consistent full spectrum light.