PDA

View Full Version : Tell me what you think of my 40B plans.


B3ach
07/02/2010, 09:45 PM
So I'm upgrading my 20H to a 40B. Here are my plans. Do they seem ok?

Tank: AGA 40g Breeder
Stand: DIY
Sump: AGA 20g High
Filtration: Eshopps psk 75 skimmer, 45 lbs of Live rock, 50 lbs of Live Sand
Flow: Mp10, Koralia 1, Eheim 1048 return pump
Light: 48" 4x54w Fishneedit.com T5 light. I'm going to hang it so it will spread more. 2 Actinics and 2 10000k Daylights.

Livestock Plans.
2x Grade A Picasso Clowns
1x Yellow Watchman Goby/Tiger Pistol
1x Bicolor Blenny
1x Blue Spotted Jawfish
Maybe a Flame Angel.

Assorted Snails and Crabs
1-2 clams
2 Peppermint Shrimp

My Currents zoas, LPS, and 3 SPS.
Lots more zoas and SPS

All I can think of at the moment. Let me know what you think ;)

Johnny C
07/02/2010, 09:53 PM
Great choice on the 40BR! :thumbsup: Everything sounds good, but IMO you'd be much better off with a Tek (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) fixture, especially if you plan to add a lot of SPS.

fatrip
07/02/2010, 11:33 PM
+ 1 on the TeK fixtures but the company who makes Tek also makes a product called Sunblaze originally made for hydroponic lighting but now being use for aquariums as well. They have the same ballast and end caps as well as individual parabolic reflectors. The only difference I can find is that the reflector material for the Tek are 5% more reflective. Here is the 4 bulb http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=SL-960300&Category_Code=SunlightT5 they also have an 8 bulb fixture.

B3ach
07/03/2010, 07:42 AM
How many watts is the Sunlight t5 8 bulb fixture? Or does it even come with bulbs?
What about this light? http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21461 (36" to be exact)

kaserpick
07/03/2010, 08:29 AM
The 8 bulb, 2' Sunblaze is going to be a total of 192 watts; they don't offer a 3' version on Premium Aquatics. On a tank with those dimensions, I would probably try to get a 6 bulb fixture to good coverage. An 8 bulb fixture would work as well, but you'll want to use more actinics to keep from bleaching things.

B3ach
07/03/2010, 09:26 AM
OK I'll go with the 6x39 tek t5 fixture. With 3 actinic and 3 10000k daylight

Vegas.
07/03/2010, 09:46 AM
I would also get the psk-100 instead of the 75, that is if you don't have the psk-75 already.

cubsFAN
07/03/2010, 12:20 PM
Personally I'd use a 24in fixture over that tank for a mixed reef. I used to have my 36in NEP over a 40 breeder. I had a lot of trouble finding shady spots for my lower light corals. I now am using it with success over a 48inch 75 gallon tank.

B3ach
07/03/2010, 03:30 PM
What about 2 150w metal halide pendants??

The Punisher
07/03/2010, 05:30 PM
What about 2 150w metal halide pendants??

That's what I'm going to go with on my 40b. 2 x 150w MH's and 2 x 39w T5's.
I'll be mounting mine in my canopy though, no pendants.

B3ach
07/03/2010, 06:02 PM
See I was thinking about 2 of these:http://fishneedit.com/150w-metal-halide-pendant-lig.html

Orrrr 1 of these. I figure it would give me some shady spots for zoas and softies.
http://fishneedit.com/250w-metal-halide-pendant-lig.html

geo
07/03/2010, 06:32 PM
[moved]...

chimmike
07/03/2010, 06:42 PM
OK I'll go with the 6x39 tek t5 fixture. With 3 actinic and 3 10000k daylight


IMO that may be a little more than you need.

Also, aren't 40b tanks 36" long? So you won't need a 48" fixture.....

The Punisher
07/03/2010, 07:19 PM
See I was thinking about 2 of these:http://fishneedit.com/150w-metal-halide-pendant-lig.html

Orrrr 1 of these. I figure it would give me some shady spots for zoas and softies.
http://fishneedit.com/250w-metal-halide-pendant-lig.html

I went back and forth between 1 250w MH and 2 150w MH's also. I'm going with 2 150's to get a more even distribution and because 40 breeders aren't that deep. If you're worried about having shady spots for lower light corals you could always design your aquascaping to have some overhangs and such to make shady areas.

B3ach
07/03/2010, 08:15 PM
ok thanks

Johnny C
07/04/2010, 12:08 AM
I have owned a 40BR and kept LPS + SPS successfully under a four bulb Tek. The main difference between 4 and 6 bulbs is that you can "tweak" the color spectrum to your liking, and the extra two helps with SPS. IMO one MH wouldn't spread well enough and two would be way overkill.

With all of that said, it all comes down to opinion. Take advice with a grain of salt- not everyone who recommends a product has used it. Lighting is without a doubt one of the most crutial pieces of equipment for your tank and I wouldn't cheap out on it. JMO! :)

The Punisher
07/04/2010, 12:41 AM
With all of that said, it all comes down to opinion. Take advice with a grain of salt- not everyone who recommends a product has used it. Lighting is without a doubt one of the most crutial pieces of equipment for your tank and I wouldn't cheap out on it. JMO! :)

This is true. I haven't personally used the light combo that I've decided to go with, and there are many options available that will, and have, worked. I've, personally chose 2 MH and 2 T5's for my build because:
1- I like the shimmer of MH's
2- The T5's will give me a little bit of flexibility with the color
3- I'm just a fan of MH's in general for a reef tank

roushracer
07/04/2010, 04:23 AM
Personally I'd use a 24in fixture over that tank for a mixed reef. I used to have my 36in NEP over a 40 breeder. I had a lot of trouble finding shady spots for my lower light corals. I now am using it with success over a 48inch 75 gallon tank.

^ this for sure

A 24" Tek or ATI fixture is more than enough for a 40g breeder. I bought a 48" ATI fixture for my 48" tank and it's too damn bright everywhere. I really wish i would have picked up a 36" instead :furious:

SpencerG
07/04/2010, 06:22 AM
I think Punisher is right - two 150s with some T5 actinics or even VHO should do very well. If you're going the halide route, that's the way to go for this size tank.

I have a 24" fixture with a 250w MH and 2 65w PC actinics (cheap Odyssea pendant) suspended above my 40BR. One MH is okay, and I'm able to keep anything in the tank and get great growth and color, but 2 MH would have made a huge difference is spreading the light out and ensuring even growth in the corals (they grow based on the light after all). Here's a shot to give you an idea of how a single MH looks:

http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx279/asgulden/JazzFest2010_0718.jpg

40BR is a great tank - big enough to keep some things and small enough to easy to keep up.

cody6766
07/04/2010, 08:36 AM
I have a 6 bulb 36" TEK light over my 40breeder and it's definitely a great light. I'm using all ATI bulbs in the fixture aside from the Fiji Purple and I do have a LITTLE trouble with some of the lowest light loving coral. I was able to easily accomodate by making a few little overhangs in the rock structures. My Meteor Shower Cyphastrea is a good example of the low light animals i"m talking about. I also have a fungia that could use a little less light, but it's still doing fine. I have acans, favia, zoas, etc out in the open and chalices and cyphastrea under overhangs. I have no trouble with my maxima clam on the sand or 3/4 of the way up. Same or acros and montis. They're happy bottom to top.

I dont' know if it's been mentioned, but you may want to build a screen for the tank. Your jawfish will most likely end up as carpet jerky if you don't. People are building them from clear screen and DIY window screen frame from Home Depot.

lisafoster
07/04/2010, 09:30 AM
I have one 250 watt mh hung 14 inches over my 40 breeder the light spreads across the whole tank. I like the shimmer so much better on metal halides.

B3ach
07/05/2010, 01:35 PM
Thanks guys. I am still trying to decide.
Lisa- How long is your pendant? The one I want it 12" so idk if it will spread.
Cody- I know these are jumpers and I have planned a screen. I have also heard Picasso's jump as well. And I do not want them too either.
Spencer- Where did you get the 24" fixture?

Any of you guys have reviews on this fixture?
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=SL1543&child=SL1543&utm_source=pricegrabber&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=pricegrabber&utm_content=SL1543

Or what about this??
http://fishneedit.com/150w-mhl-with-2-x-2bulbs-2ft-f150222.html

for the t5's on the fishneedit, would you guys suggest all blue or 2 white and 2 blue? I was planning 14000k metal halide.

cody6766
07/05/2010, 02:19 PM
2 white and 2 blue if you're using their bulbs. It would benefit you to use some good bulbs like ATI or Giesmann (I misspell that everytime). The ATI Blue Plus bulbs are actinic-like and crank out some serious PAR. I would run 2 of those, an ATI AquaBlue Special and a KZ Fiji Purple in a 4 bulb fixture. I run that arrangement plus 2 more Blue Plus bulbs in my 6 bulb TEK.

If you go MH, take a look at the phoenix 14000K or the Radium 20000K bulbs. They're my 2 fav MH bulbs.

B3ach
07/05/2010, 02:37 PM
Ok thanks. I will get the 150w mh and t5 combo and look at the bulbs. I will switch them out later.