T-5 or Lumen Bright for 40 breeder

[andyrm66]

So I want to setup a 40 breeder and I keep flip flopping between running a Tek 6 bulb or 1 or maybe 2 Lumen Brights. I know I wont be able to get full coverage with only one Lumen Bright, so that is a factor, wheter or not I run one or two. So I would like to be able to keep SPS and have good growth rates as I would like this to maybe be a prop/frag tank moreso than a display tank. I saw the picture with par values comparing MH to T-5 and the T-5s were better.

So, heres some questions, the 6x39 is ~$349. Two lumen brights with bulbs and a dual ballast is probaly within ~100-~150 of that. Hows the lighting output going to compare?

Heat- I read Melev or someones reveiw stating how high oyu can have the Lumen brights and still get great par values. How much heat is the T-5 going to pump into the tank?

Other thoughts?

Thanks!

[andyrm66]

No one has input?

[darkside212]

I don't believe I get any heat from my 6bulb nova extreme pro. I have it sitting right on the lip of the tank on my 65g.

[Fireworm]

My cousin ran 2 400w MHs over his 40 breeder. It looked great, but he topped off everyday. I had a 250w MH over my 29, and it was good. I have ran T5s over my 90 for a few months now. I miss the shimmer from the MH, but I like the fact I can switch the color of my tank so easy, with out spending $150 on 2 bulbs.

[andyrm66]

Would a 6 bulb Tek 5 give me good growth of everything including SPS in a 40 breader?

[Mchava]

that should be fine. I have the 8 bulb on my 100 and I needed to raise my lights up cause it was bleaching a few acros. Just get good bulbs like the ATI or Aqua Sciences or Giuasmen

[darkside212]

it will be overkill. I had a 6 bulb nova extreme pro over my 40b and it was too much light. A 4 bulb unit with decent bulbs is more than enough.

I'm now using the 6bulb over my 65g on a 6hr cycle and it ROCKS!

ATI, and UVL are the only bulbs worth buying....

[kretzkiller]

It will not be overkill. If you are concerned about par get the aquacintics tx5, if you are concerned with aesthetics get the tek. I personally prefer the tek because I am concerned with appearance.

[kretzkiller]

Oh and I don't believe that all UVL bulbs are worth buying. I would stick with ATI. Read up on grim's info about T5 bulbs for more info.

[kretzkiller]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15049693#post15049693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andyrm66
Would a 6 bulb Tek 5 give me good growth of everything including SPS in a 40 breader?

It should not have a problem growing anything you want. I loved mine so far.

[kretzkiller]

to answer your original question...t5's should not produce any heat. I had a 250mh on my 40br and it heated the tank over 81* I have t5's now and my temp hasn't flucuated.

[nikon187]

The aquasun by UVL is the highest par bulb out there for T5 bulbs so i wouldn't count UVL out. ( Not to mention their super actinic) Giesmann bulbs are nearly identicle to the ATI and are just as good.

[kretzkiller]

aquasun is the only one I would consider.

[darkside212]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15051070#post15051070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kretzkiller
Oh and I don't believe that all UVL bulbs are worth buying. I would stick with ATI. Read up on grim's info about T5 bulbs for more info.


The aquasun bulb has more PAR than any bulb. Use one aquasun, some ATIs in a 4bulb fixture (or 2-2bulb) and you'll have more PAR than you will need.

a 6 bulb over a 40breeder is a WASTE of electricity, space, and money.

[luvreefs23]

i dont understand how a tek is prettier than a aquactinics? I have the tx5 3 foot aquactinics over my 90 as a temp light and have sps halfway down the tank doing well. Im putting this light over a 40 breeder when the 90 comes down. Very nice light, my vote is for t5s

[noboddi]

It depends on what you want to keep. I keep a lot of anemones so I tend towards MH. I have 2x150w Phoenix 14k bulbs with 2x39w ATI Blue+ bulbs on my 40 breeder BTA tank and it works out great.

Its really hard to say what to choose without knowing what you plan to stock

[andyrm66]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15053919#post15053919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noboddi
It depends on what you want to keep. I keep a lot of anemones so I tend towards MH. I have 2x150w Phoenix 14k bulbs with 2x39w ATI Blue+ bulbs on my 40 breeder BTA tank and it works out great.

Its really hard to say what to choose without knowing what you plan to stock

Everything including SPS and clams

[danferd2002]

I have a 4 bulb fixture on my 40 breeder, and have had no problems. I am overdriving the bulbs however with IceCap ballasts. As long as the sps are in the top half of the tank i see no issues. Could probably keep some lower light stuff on the bottom as well. I had MH before the T5, and i must say, i will never go back to MH, less heat, and nicer spread of light.