40 br - aquatinics vs sunpod vs outer orbits

[Kayadad]

I need some lights for my 40 breeder. I plan on keeping sps. I think I have decided not to run a canopy so I need a complete hood. This is a semi-budget tank so price is an issue. All of these set-ups run in the $400 range with bulbs. I really do not want to spend much more than this.

What would you do? I am open to other suggestions too. Right now I am leaning towards the aquatinics t5 set-up.

Aquatinics - 5 x t5
http://www.aquactinics.com/Store/T5_HO_Lighting_Systems.htm

Sunpod - 2 x 150 mh + led
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13975&N=2004+113030

Outer Orbits 1 x 150 mh + 2 x 96 pc
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18364/si1846686/cl0/currentusaouterorbits36150w10000khqi2x96ww4lunarlights

[Kayadad]

bump, planning on buying these tomorrow. Any opinions?

[dwdenny]

T5's will be cooler then the MH. I just clicked the link to the Aquatinics and the those fixtures are out of stock at the moment. If you want T5 check out reefgeek.com at the TEK fixtures. 4X39w T5 will be more then plenty unless you plan on SPS dominated tank in whick case I would look at the MH possibly 175w or 250w SE. I am seeting up a 40Br as well and using a SE 175w 14k as my only source of lighting I will have the light about 9" off the water. The reason being is I want lower light corals on the sides. But I will no be getting into SPS at the moment either. It all boils down to what you are keeping in the tank. Out of those three choices I think the 2X150 woud work the best for just about anything you wanted to keep. HTH

[JayB1224]

Im running a single 150w 14k over my 40breeder. it is 9 inches off the water . the middle of the tank is very bright and the sides are slightly shaded. if you want full coverage 2x150 would do best just like dwdenny said.