40g breeder reef

[Mstanker]

40G Breeder

Hello everyone, I just joined this website today. I was wondering which lighting setup I should go with. I'm not trying to break the bank with buying a light for my tank. I want to have a few fish/coral in this tank. But with buying this light I want it to be a one time deal, not buy a light then figure out that I cant grow or keep an item later on down the road. I have bought everything to start my new tank up, UV light,sump,skimmer,rock,sand, pumps, powerhead, ect.

Also my sump is a Trigger system Elite and on that topic I got my LFS to cut two holes in my tank so i have one drain/return. The LFS told me that i could not use sch 90 bulkheads but i did anyways, b/c when i was trying to pre-set up the tank i cracked the reg bulkheads and don't want to take the chance in that area. Any ideas on how to plumb in a UV ster. with the return pump also.
Thanks for helping me out in my prep of my 40g breeder Reef

 

[Mstanker]

Any ideas of some good types of T5 or LED that could grow me a nice tank, with out going over like 3ish

 

[Davesgt]

Reef Radiance makes an awesome light that would look great on a 40B! Plus its under $300 and allows you to adjust how much light you get so you could expand to sps when your ready.

 

[Pete polyp]

I'm setting up a 40 breeder also. I went with a 6 bulb t5 off Ebay. It was $150 shipped with bulbs. It has a built in timer with 2 t5 channels and one channel for the 6 LED moonlights. I bought new ati bulbs to replace the stock bulbs. I am currently using the 24" model of the same light. There's no lack of light at all, and I keep any coral from button polyps to acropora with it. I have had this fixture for a year now with no issues.

 

[Mstanker]

Should you run a small like on a 36 inch tank or should your light be the same as the tank??

 

[Davesgt]

In most castes Led lights are not going to be the length of your tank, they use optics to create a spread in your aquarium. As for T5's you could run a 36" fixture that would cover your entire tank or you could even use a 24" fixture , ive seen both on 40B tanks. Most of our sponsors have many lighting options that would be suitable, from Metal halide, T5'S, LEDS. For the size tank you have a lot of these newer LEDS coming on the market are able to give your tank amazing color while the ability to keeps SPS. Check out Reef Radiance, Reef Breeders, and Ocean Revive. All of these companies have LED setups that would be great and under $300, most are under $200, plus no more bulb changing.

 

[Mstanker]

Thanks for the Info on the LED's; I'm just ready to get started on this build haha. Ready to take down my 75g freshwater for the new 40 saltwater. thanks again for the other good brand names.

 

[Pete polyp]

Should you run a small like on a 36 inch tank or should your light be the same as the tank??

I'm using a 36" fixture for the 40

 

[Mstanker]

this is the soon to be 40g reef. Ordered my new RR lighting Pro 180. Let me know if you all think i would do something different..

 

[Krewlife]

I'm using a 36" fixture for the 40

could you show a full tank shot with the light? ive been thinking about getting this for my 40g breeder but not sold on t-5's because i like that shimmer effect.

also ive been looking in LED's and seems like people do have a hard time with growing sps and after a couple years the par on these fixtures dramatically decrease.

 

[Pete polyp]

3 ati blue +, 1 ati coral+, 1 ati actinic, 1 stock 12k.

 

[Pete polyp]

This is a 30" tank with 24" fixture. It is the same brand as the 40. The only difference in bulb combo is this tank has ati purple + in place of the actinic

 

[Pete polyp]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/140928759760?nav=SEARCH

This is what I have