Help me decide which T5 fixture for 40g Breeder

[thomasdo87]

There are several factors that I'm still considering when it comes to my 40 gallon breeder. The one thing I know is I am going to stray away from Metal Halides and try my first T5 system. I have limited it down to two brands: ATI and Tek. Not sure tho if I want a 4-bulb or 6-bulb fixture. I know that the ATI produces a lot of light and read it produces 50% more than the Tek fixture.

I'm going to stock some sps, lots of zoas/palys, some lps, and very few softies.

Tek 4-bulb:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/36_inch__4x39W_Tek_Light_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply
Tek 6-bulb:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/36_inch__6x39W_Tek_Light_T5_High-Output_Fixture_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply
ATI 4-bulb:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...39W_Powermodule_T5_High-Output_Fixture_by_ATI
ATI 6-bulb
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...39W_Powermodule_T5_High-Output_Fixture_by_ATI

Thanks in advance

 

[NVTE]

Tek is very good T5 light, but ATI Powermodule is the best in T5 world now. I would go with 6 bulbs ATI.

 

[thomasdo87]

do you think I would have any trouble keeping lps and softies? with that one, its tempting just worried

 

[Sikryd]

just reread

4 bulb over a 40g

 

[joesfiddy]

i have a tek 4 bulb on a 40 breeder frag tank that grows sps and everything else

 

[gparr]

I have a four-lamp fixture on my 40br. The lamps are not individually reflected and it provides more than enough light. For some corals, it provides too much light. With any of the fixtures you're suggesting, you'll have plenty of light. Be careful when you install your fixture. There is a good chance you'll light shock your corals.

The fixture I have is a Nova Extreme. It's a good fixture, but the legs are cheesy and it has a separate plug-in cube for the fan, another for the lunar lights, and then two cords for each pair of lights. In other words, I have to plug four cords into four timers to use the light. That's a major drawback.

The light on my 65 is an Aquactinics TX5, which is five lamps, individually reflected. It's a much higher quality fixture and only has two cords, one for the actinics/fan and the other for the whites. However, if I put that fixture on the 40br, the corals would probably burrow into the sand to get away from the intense light.

Gary

 

[Reef Pets]

If you go with TEK let me know, I can probably save you a little money.

 

[acanman]

i hear the tek's are not that good. they dont have fans and the bulbs will get hot without fans.. i like coral life or nova...

 

[Poseidon]

For the mixed reef you are describing, get one of the 4 bulb fixtures. I have 6 overdriven T5's on my 90, and it grows SPS like crazy, but LPS like acans HATE it.

Proper placement of the colored sticks, and the correct bulb choice on the ATI fixture will give you the results you want, and save you a little cash.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

You might also consider a 24" fixture... you'll cook coral over a 40 breeder with a 36" 6 bulb T5 considering how shallow 40 breeders are... especially ATI PM.

A 24" will more than light the whole tank, and you can have "lower-light" areas on the right and left side... it wouldn't be visible to the eye, but the intensity on the coral will be substantially different allowing better (more) placement for acans and such... just a thought

 

[hansmtt]

Agreed with both above comments...my 6 bulb 54 wat ATI fixture on my 90g grows most things great, but the acans do not like it on the sand...go with the 4 bulb 24" fixture and keep lower light along the sides where they will be happy. This will especially be true in a shallow tank. You do lose some of the possible bulb combinations with 4 rather than 6 bulbs, but I think you'll be pretty happy with the results for a mixed reef.

 

[FateX8]

if money isnt a huge issue ati ftw
i prefer 6 bulb just because of the flexibility in bulb choice
thats the best thing about t5s is the choices you have

 

[laskopyre]

I'd go ATI 6 bulb.

 

[Letsgotothezoo]

Hey there....you can't compare Tek and ATI powermodule.
There are lots of differences in price.

But if I were you, I would go with TEK. Your 40 gallon breeder is not that big and the width is only 15". Tek is more suitable for you.

Save money....Buy Tek Light. SLS makes good light.

Then you can buy more livestocks from the money you saved. :tongue:

 

[Letsgotothezoo]

oh....4 bulbs should be good since your width is only 15":wink:

 

[thomasdo87]

Thank you everyone. I decided to go with the Tek 6-bulb since I got an amazing deal on brand new one from Gary @ reefpets. Might be a little strong but decided to raise it up a little higher and have a certain selection of bulbs.

Thank you

 

[thomasdo87]

before I try to start up a new thread, what do you think a good 6-bulb 39w combo would be?

Thanks in advance

 

[brandyrb]

I also use 6 bulb TEK fixtures on my 40 breeders.

My current bulbs are:
ATI BluePlus
ATI Aquablue Special
ATI BluePlus
UV Lighting 75-25
ATI BluePlus
ATI BluePlus

The color is a light blue. I just changed to this combination as some of my zoas and lower light lps didn't like the higher light.

The bulbs used to be:
ATI BluePlus
ATI BluePlus
GE 6500K
UV Lighting 75-25
ATI AquaBlue Special
ATI BluePlus

I'm still experimenting to find the right bulb choice though. Only time will tell if my current configuration will please my sps, zoas and lps.

 

[chadfarmer]

a friend had a 36 inch 6 bulb tek over a 40 gallon breeder and had problems keeping zoas alive because of how brite they are and you dont notice it

 

[brandyrb]

My PPE, RPE and Magician palys closed up because of the light, but all the zoas were fine. Since changing my bulbs to the current combination and moving the PE type palys to a semi shaded area, they're open and doing good again.