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View Full Version : Which lights?


B3ach
07/02/2010, 12:51 PM
I am going to upgrade my 20H to a 40B. What lights would you guys reccomend? I have narrowed it down to 2.

Fishneedit.com 250w metal halide pendant. (Not sure if it will have enough spread)

Fishneedit.com 36" 4x39w T5 light. Not sure if it would be strong enough for SPS and clams. What you guys think?

Potsy
07/02/2010, 12:59 PM
I would go with t5, but 5 or 6 bulbs. You'll have a lot of shadow at the ends Assuming the bulbs have individual reflectors, just about anything can be kept under T5, especially considering how shallow a 40B. I'm setting up a 50B and will be using my Aquactinics TX5 fixture - 5 x 39 watt t5.

Tilmo2180
07/02/2010, 01:03 PM
I have T5's over my 90g. Make sure they have individual reflectors and you get a good bulb combo, there is a thread in the equipment forum that can help with that. T5's can grow em all, I have LPS, SPS, I don't have a clam, yet, but I have been thinking about getting one and have seen others keep clams under T5's.

B3ach
07/02/2010, 01:29 PM
I do not want to spend alot of cash on lights so it's either the 36" 4x39w 2 actinic and 2 10000k daylight or 48" 4x54w 2 actinic and 2 10000k daylight. Which would you reccomend?

MCCOOL
07/02/2010, 02:01 PM
growing SPS and not spending much on lights don't really go hand in hand. the 48" fixture is a waste as you'll have a foot of light over the floor. the 4x36" light won't cover the whole 18" front to back, so part of the tank will be darker and won't sustain SPS or clams. unless the fixture has nice individual reflectors and high end (read: ATI, Geismann, etc.) bulbs, you'll probably be disappointed and your corals won't thrive.

I have a 6 bulb ATI supower over my 36"x18"x21" tank and love it.

B3ach
07/02/2010, 02:29 PM
Those are so dang expensive. Imma poor teen :/. What about the 250w mh pendant?
http://fishneedit.com/250w-metal-halide-pendant-lig.html

MCCOOL
07/02/2010, 02:56 PM
haha, the 4 bulb fixture will grow things directly under the bulbs, just realize that it won't cover the whole 18". I have no experience with metal halides, so I won't be much help there. I doubt one bulb will give you the spread you want though, unless it was pretty high off the water.

I had a 4 bulb retro over my old 40br, things lived, but I didn't get the growth I was after until I added a couple more bulbs. you can always get the 4 bulb now, and add another 2 bulbs when the funds are available.

B3ach
07/02/2010, 03:10 PM
the 4 bulb fixture I am looking at is 9" wide. That would mean 4.5" open on each side. If I put my rock in the middle and corals in the middle. SHouldn't they get enough light?

MCCOOL
07/02/2010, 03:26 PM
assuming they are directly under the bulbs, yes they will be fine. the problem is the other half of the tank won't have much light.

B3ach
07/02/2010, 03:35 PM
DO you think the 250w mh pendant would spread enough to cover the tank? 36" long and 18" wide
EDIT: What if I bought a hanging kit with the 48" light and hung it about 1ft above the water. Would it spread enough then?