Fixture for a 40 Breeder

[jadwv2210]

I've been looking at lighting for my tank now since I've filled it with water and got the cycle started.

For the price it only makes since to go with LED since that's what I really wanted in the first place. None of the manufacturers seem to spec the coverage of their units though, or at least the sellers I've looked at don't list it.

So for the experts out there, what fixture or two would fit well over a 40 gallon breeder that will contain LPS and easy to keep SPS such as birds nests. Possible an anemone later on as well.

I'm looking to spend not much more than $500 on it including mounts. And ceiling mounts are not an option unfortunately. I also don't have a canopy so tank mount or stand mount only

I'm thinking two AI Primes or one AI Hydra 26. If one Radion XR15W would work I would probably use it before the others though. Maybe an XR30W if I can bring myself to spend the money.

 

[Pete polyp]

Almost every led fixture made its designed to cover 24". So it will take 2 fixtures on a 40 breeder to have complete coverage. The xr15 is half a xr30, so you're looking at half the coverage.

You say for the price you're going led? The price of what exactly? You can buy a 36" 6x39w t5 with bulbs for $120.

 

[jadwv2210]

Almost every led fixture made its designed to cover 24". So it will take 2 fixtures on a 40 breeder to have complete coverage. The xr15 is half a xr30, so you're looking at half the coverage.

You say for the price you're going led? The price of what exactly? You can buy a 36" 6x39w t5 with bulbs for $120.

I've looked around at all the big name online retailers and all of the t5 fixtures they sell with 4 lamps or more at 36" are $300 plus. By the time I get good name bulbs and replace them once I could have bought an led fixture. I don't have an LFS within a 2 hour drive of here so I'm stuck with ordering things online that are reef specific.

 

[gcrawford]

Reefbreeder photon 36. I have 48s on my 120 and 75. They grow anything I've tried...

 

[Pete polyp]

I've looked around at all the big name online retailers and all of the t5 fixtures they sell with 4 lamps or more at 36" are $300 plus. By the time I get good name bulbs and replace them once I could have bought an led fixture. I don't have an LFS within a 2 hour drive of here so I'm stuck with ordering things online that are reef specific.

I have had this fixture on my 40 for 2 years and the 24" version on my 29 for 3 years. It's a great light

http://m.ebay.com/itm/LCD-Timer-36-...Light-Fixture-Marine-/351197728613?nav=SEARCH

 

[jadwv2210]

I did look at the T5 fixture and that is much cheaper than anything I've found from major retailers. Ultimately after seeing the ReefBreeders Photon 32 and watching some videos on it I bought it. Even at $115 after I replace the bulbs a couple of times I could buy an LED fixture and never replace the bulbs and have many other features. Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[gcrawford]

Yeah, I meant 32 not 36. You're going to love the fixture with the timed control and remote. Mine have been going strong now for two years without any issues. Coloring is amazing under these lights.

 

[gcrawford]

Sample shot at 89% blues and 84% whites..

 

[jadwv2210]

That does look great! I've looked at a lot of lights recently and I think I prefer lighting that is fairly blue heavy. The adjustment on these fixtures is not as in depth as some of the more expensive ones but I think I will prefer that since I don't really know what I'm doing with light haha.

 

[gcrawford]

They can be as blue as you want them when you want them to be. Sunset is amazing when my whites go down in %. Here's the 75, much younger tank.

 

[Ebone]

I have a hydra 52 over mine, like it just fine

 

[Dtackett]

single ebay 300 watt blackbox would do the trick or 2 165 watt. contact @SB Reef Lights for more info.

 

[SB Reef Lights]

Go on Facebook to the Chinese black box LED proof group. They have a group buy on lights much better than the Reef breeders for a ton less money. Better spectrum and diode layout. Some with timers, remote control and ramping. A single 165w will do for a mixed frag tank with sps on the center 2/3rd and top half. A single 300w will grow any SPS and provide about 1
1475PAR at the water. You can cook biscuits with it.

 

[Pete polyp]

Go on Facebook to the Chinese black box LED proof group. They have a group buy on lights much better than the Reef breeders for a ton less money. Better spectrum and diode layout. Some with timers, remote control and ramping. A single 165w will do for a mixed frag tank with sps on the center 2/3rd and top half. A single 300w will grow any SPS and provide about 1
1475PAR at the water. You can cook biscuits with it.

Are you the one selling these lights?

 

[LakeCityReef]

How often you replace t5s every 6 months or year?

 

[Dtackett]

t5s tend to be 4-8 months. most will swap at 6 I believe.

 

[CountrySideCoral]

I swap out my T5s every 18 months! I have never measured my PAR readings as I judge it by the way my coral are reacting to the light. I also run my T5s for 8 hours a day max. I think the "rule" of 6-12 months is a little extreme. Before anyone tries to bash my methods I have been doing this for the last 7-8 years. If it were fatal to my coral it would have happened by now.

My 75 reef - iPhone panoramic shot

 

[MartyF]

I have had this fixture on my 40 for 2 years and the 24" version on my 29 for 3 years. It's a great light

http://m.ebay.com/itm/LCD-Timer-36-...Light-Fixture-Marine-/351197728613?nav=SEARCH

Pete, I have been thinking LED for my 40b, but after your post I have changed my mind. How loud is the cooling fan on this? Do you have any pics with this T5 mounted on your 40b? Thanks for the idea!!

 

[SB Reef Lights]

Are you the one selling these lights?

No, I organized the group buy. My private label lights are not out yet.

 

[Dtackett]

No, I organized the group buy. My private label lights are not out yet.

once they are out you wont be able to keep them in stock lol