Getting Off The Fence

Jon Fleck · Feb 8, 2019

Am attempting to come to closure on lighting for my "to be" 4o gallon breeder SPS dominant tank. I had gotten my options down to the two: #1. MAXSPECT 90 or #2. ATI 6 x 39 36" and then plan to supplement with Reef Brite XHO and Tech lights going forward. Any thoughts, information, opinion, WHATEVER is gladly and graciously accepted.
Thanks in advance -
jff

PDR · Feb 8, 2019

I think the recurve is a neat fixture, but if I wanted a fool proof lighting setup for SPS, I would go with the second option.

dutch27 · Feb 8, 2019

I ran an ATI 4-bulb over a 40B and was able to grow SPS. A 6-bulb ATI would allow SPS at any depth. There's an old BRS video where they show T5 PAR values based on height above the water, and I think they used an ATI. Those things put out a ton of light.

My vote is T5, not personally a big fan of LED. Shading on SPS is a real thing, most LED I've seen have poor color mixing and have a disco ball effect, and T5 makes it easier to swap around bulb types and get the tank color perfect for your taste.

Jon Fleck · Feb 8, 2019

dutch27 said:
I ran an ATI 4-bulb over a 40B and was able to grow SPS. A 6-bulb ATI would allow SPS at any depth. There's an old BRS video where they show T5 PAR values based on height above the water, and I think they used an ATI. Those things put out a ton of light.

My vote is T5, not personally a big fan of LED. Shading on SPS is a real thing, most LED I've seen have poor color mixing and have a disco ball effect, and T5 makes it easier to swap around bulb types and get the tank color perfect for your taste.

THANKS !!!!!!

Jon Fleck · Feb 8, 2019

dutch27 said:
I ran an ATI 4-bulb over a 40B and was able to grow SPS. A 6-bulb ATI would allow SPS at any depth. There's an old BRS video where they show T5 PAR values based on height above the water, and I think they used an ATI. Those things put out a ton of light.

My vote is T5, not personally a big fan of LED. Shading on SPS is a real thing, most LED I've seen have poor color mixing and have a disco ball effect, and T5 makes it easier to swap around bulb types and get the tank color perfect for your taste.

Appreciate your time and efforts on my questions.