light for 40 gallon breeder

codydemmel4 · 04/18/2018, 08:00 AM

So I decided to go with a 40 gallon breeder on my SPS frag tank as I got it for free from a friend.

I plan on making the frag rack around 6 inches from the bottom, so 11 inches to the top of the tank.

I am wondering what lighting I should use? I am really only looking to keep the middle 24-30 inches full of SPS from side to side and keep the whole 18 inches front to back with corals.

I am leaning towards a 6 bulb 24 inches T5 fixture but I also started to think about a 250W Metal Halide (have never used Metal Halides before). My DT is 80w 8 bulb fixture. If I do the 6 bulb T5 fixture, I will be doing 4 blue plus bulbs and 2 coral plus bulbs.

Greatly appreciate everyone's thoughts.

tripdad · 04/18/2018, 04:25 PM

Hey Cody, if it's in a remote type location and you don't mind light spilling over the ends look at Home Depot. They have a 4 bulb, T5HO, 48" fixture with individual reflectors for about $100.00. I use one and it will definitely grow SPS corals. I use 50/50 mix of B+ and Coral+ bulbs. It's nice to not blow big bucks for a frag tank light.

Baxterdawg1974 · 04/18/2018, 06:06 PM

I just bought a 4 bulb Fixture with built in reflector for $60 on amazon that fits 24 inch T5s i also do 2 ATI blue plus and actinics. Search for it under grow lights for plants and T5, it should show up

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Baxterdawg1974 · 04/18/2018, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baxterdawg1974

I just bought a 4 bulb Fixture with built in reflector for $60 on amazon that fits 24 inch T5s i also do 2 ATI blue plus and actinics. Search for it under grow lights for plants and T5, it should show up

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

codydemmel4 · 04/18/2018, 07:21 PM

thanks everyone!

I just got a good deal on a 250w MH so I am going to go with that for now. Once I fill up my frag tank even more I will get another and have 2 over the tank and have PLENTY of coverage

DesertReefT4r · 04/18/2018, 11:00 PM

I ran a 250w MH on a 40B display and loved it. Coverage was perfect and I grew sps everywhere. For a frag tank that you are growing out corals its hard to beat.

codydemmel4 · 04/19/2018, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertReefT4r

I ran a 250w MH on a 40B display and loved it. Coverage was perfect and I grew sps everywhere. For a frag tank that you are growing out corals its hard to beat.

Awesome. How high did you have it off the water?

DesertReefT4r · 04/20/2018, 08:27 AM

About 12".

04/18/2018, 08:00 AM	#1
codydemmel4 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Center Valley PA Posts: 1,479	light for 40 gallon breeder So I decided to go with a 40 gallon breeder on my SPS frag tank as I got it for free from a friend. I plan on making the frag rack around 6 inches from the bottom, so 11 inches to the top of the tank. I am wondering what lighting I should use? I am really only looking to keep the middle 24-30 inches full of SPS from side to side and keep the whole 18 inches front to back with corals. I am leaning towards a 6 bulb 24 inches T5 fixture but I also started to think about a 250W Metal Halide (have never used Metal Halides before). My DT is 80w 8 bulb fixture. If I do the 6 bulb T5 fixture, I will be doing 4 blue plus bulbs and 2 coral plus bulbs. Greatly appreciate everyone's thoughts. __________________ -Cody SPS Dominant 180 gallon. Link to my tank: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2618245

04/18/2018, 04:25 PM	#2
tripdad Frustrated Stick Gardener Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: near chicago,Ill. Posts: 701	Hey Cody, if it's in a remote type location and you don't mind light spilling over the ends look at Home Depot. They have a 4 bulb, T5HO, 48" fixture with individual reflectors for about $100.00. I use one and it will definitely grow SPS corals. I use 50/50 mix of B+ and Coral+ bulbs. It's nice to not blow big bucks for a frag tank light. __________________ Scott Current tank: 65 gal DSA rimless, mixed reef, 20 gal sump, T5 6bulb, big skimmer, 40B Fowler, 20 gal sump, 4 bulb T5

04/18/2018, 06:06 PM	#3
Baxterdawg1974 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 118	I just bought a 4 bulb Fixture with built in reflector for $60 on amazon that fits 24 inch T5s i also do 2 ATI blue plus and actinics. Search for it under grow lights for plants and T5, it should show up Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Brian

04/18/2018, 07:21 PM	#5
codydemmel4 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Center Valley PA Posts: 1,479	thanks everyone! I just got a good deal on a 250w MH so I am going to go with that for now. Once I fill up my frag tank even more I will get another and have 2 over the tank and have PLENTY of coverage __________________ -Cody SPS Dominant 180 gallon. Link to my tank: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2618245

04/18/2018, 11:00 PM	#6
DesertReefT4r Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 771	I ran a 250w MH on a 40B display and loved it. Coverage was perfect and I grew sps everywhere. For a frag tank that you are growing out corals its hard to beat. __________________ Tank history 29g tropical ,55g cichlid tank, 20H softy reef, 29g mixed reef, 20H brackish goby & puffer tank, 55g mixed reef, 6g Nanocube softy lps reef, 40B sps reef, 75g sps reef, 75g sps reef in bu Current Tank Info: 75g sps reef build in the works.

04/20/2018, 08:27 AM	#8
DesertReefT4r Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 771	About 12". __________________ Tank history 29g tropical ,55g cichlid tank, 20H softy reef, 29g mixed reef, 20H brackish goby & puffer tank, 55g mixed reef, 6g Nanocube softy lps reef, 40B sps reef, 75g sps reef, 75g sps reef in bu Current Tank Info: 75g sps reef build in the works.