TEK 4X24w T5 on 40 Breeder enough light?

Wesley42079 · May 1, 2012

Fellow reefers,

I am torn between purchasing a 6x39w ATI Sunpower fixture or a 4x24 Tek.

I will be placing this fixture over my 40 Breeder aquarium. I will primarily stock LPS/softies and some SPS.

I wanted to know which light fixture would be best.

I know that I can bleach many corals using the ATI 6x39w, but if I only use 4 bulbs, I am guessing that I should be fine.

With the TEK 4x24w, will it be enough to light my LPS/softies and some SPS tank?

Reef Breeders · May 1, 2012

Go 6 bulb, 4 is barely enough, and not nearly enough if you use 24 watt bulbs.

Trex · May 1, 2012

I have a 6*39 TEK fixture (( the regular )) and very pleased with it -- though it is a bit much for some softies, mushrooms, but my clams, SPS and E. quadricolors are doing fantastic.

el richie · May 2, 2012

I had a 24x4 icecap retro on my 40b and grew sps and acans just fine.

Saulsa · May 2, 2012

I used an Elos 39x4 on my 40g and it worked great.

I'm selling it since I switched to a cube if you're interested. I also have the additional ballast to add 2 more bulbs down the road if you want..

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jformani · May 2, 2012

I would say yes. I run very inexpensive bad boy t5's on my tanks and i grow anything i want. mine is 6 bulb but standard ballast, no fans, and fantastic growth.

Wesley42079 · May 3, 2012

Wow Trex, if your 6x39w Tek is a little too much some LPS and softies, then I am afraid when I dinally put up the ATI. I might just start out with hanging it 12" above the water surface and maybe just 4 bulbs.

Trex said:
I have a 6*39 TEK fixture (( the regular )) and very pleased with it -- though it is a bit much for some softies, mushrooms, but my clams, SPS and E. quadricolors are doing fantastic.

Wesley42079 · May 3, 2012

Salusa, thanks for the info. Well, I sent the $275 payment yesterday for the ATI 6x39w fixture. I sure hope i don't bleach my corals.

mgdmirage · May 3, 2012

4 is fine i run 6 on mine and bleach stuff a lot.

Reefing8EZ · May 3, 2012

Yes 6x39w is what I currently run over my 40B and it is a bit much for some LPS.
If I did it again my first choice would be 6x24w and second choice would be 4x39w. HTH. :wink:

REEFKEEPER10 · May 3, 2012

I would get some window screen and make layers over your tank at first. Then take a layer off a week until done. It will give the corals time to acclimate to the light so you don't bleach them. Some ati bulbs can throw some serious par so if you had cheap bulbs your in for a real treat but could do some damage to the corals. I hope this helps.

Wesley42079 · May 4, 2012

Yes your input helps out alot. I was really considering using the light difusers to help acclimate.

REEFKEEPER10 said:
I would get some window screen and make layers over your tank at first. Then take a layer off a week until done. It will give the corals time to acclimate to the light so you don't bleach them. Some ati bulbs can throw some serious par so if you had cheap bulbs your in for a real treat but could do some damage to the corals. I hope this helps.

Wesley42079 · May 4, 2012

Your comment scares me. I'll either use 6 bulbs and use a difuser, or just run 4 bulbs.

mgdmirage said:
4 is fine i run 6 on mine and bleach stuff a lot.

Reef@holic · May 4, 2012

If it were me I would run a tek 6x39. Both the tek and the sunpower are great light the sp obviously having the upper hand, however I think the 6x39 sunpower would be a little much especially for the LPS, the tek 6x39 I think would be a better fit for your tank and what you plan to keep and is more than enough to keep thriving Sps.

Wesley42079 · May 17, 2012

I guess I might be purchasing another T5 light fixture.

I received my ATI 6x39w last week, but if it will be too much light, I do have an opportunity to purchase a used Tek T5 6x39w.

Reef@holic said:
If it were me I would run a tek 6x39. Both the tek and the sunpower are great light the sp obviously having the upper hand, however I think the 6x39 sunpower would be a little much especially for the LPS, the tek 6x39 I think would be a better fit for your tank and what you plan to keep and is more than enough to keep thriving Sps.