Need good but not too pricey lighting

[rolikesfish]

I want to find a 36" T5HO lighting system for my 40 gallon tank (35 x 18 x 16) I want it to be able to keep alive soft corals, LSP & SPS corals and live rock. Also I have a budget of around $200. Can someone help me find a lighting system to fit this need?
-Thanks

[rolikesfish]

Would this work for it, http://www.marineandreef.com/Satelli...p/rcu01015.htm
It uses two 96 Watt lamps.

[lighthouze08]

i would say save your money and get an ATI t5 fixture. Do it right the first time so you don't have to keep spending money upgrading it later

[patch2361]

Power compacts will not work for sps. If you want to keep sps you will need atleast 4 t-5 bulbs on that tank with individual reflectors. If you have a canopy you could save some money and use a retrofit. Premium aquatics has the current nova extreme 4 bulb t-5 with individual reflectors for $204.99, you could do softies, lps, and get away with montis for sps. But stay away from higher light sps like acros.

[rolikesfish]

Thanks patch2361, I checked out that current nova extreme 4 bulb t-5, and I think it will suite my needs perfectly; thanks a lot for the suggestion.

[jasonrp104]

You can grow acros under a 4 bulb. As long as you're using good bulbs, and keep the light lovers up high, you can grow just about anything you want.

[celano]

Check out fishneedit.com. They have a nice selection of t5 ho fixtures that suite your price range.

[somdinwong]

i have a current 36 that i just took down. needs to be cleaned up but its cheap

[Almenmarine]

http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-...ce-p/52202.htm

Modify some fans on it. They work good now adays.

Some on ebay if out of stock

[RocketSurgeon]

If you are gonna buy cheap now and upgrade later, aquatraders.com is an option.

[cody6766]

I bought a TEK 6 bulb light for my 40 breeder and it's honestly too much for a mixed reef. I've only bee burning 4 bulbs and it's absolutely perfect. I don't think you NEED an ATI light as the TEK or the current light will work, but they are the best T5 lights on the market. TEK isnt quite as good as far as PAR output but it definitely does the trick. I'm damned happy with mine

[Canadian Reefer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/6-Bulb-36-T5-T-5...efaultDomain_0

[Canadian Reefer]

They have cheaper ones than that if you buy the 4 bulb fixture. Good luck on your endeavor

[reelfishy]

Agreed.. my previous 2 set ups I was budget building. I got the right lights but I ended up upgrading everything else. If u don't want to spend over 200 try and look for a used tek6 bulb.

Originally Posted by lighthouze08

i would say save your money and get an ATI t5 fixture. Do it right the first time so you don't have to keep spending money upgrading it later

[Reefer07]

I would agree that acros will grow under a 4 bulb setup but they grow slow. The color is ok. I had a 4x24 setup with individual reflectors over my 29g. Rock was stacked high and acros right at the top. THe montis loved it and grew great as well as the birds nest. I did have some acros though and they held decent color but did not grow crazy. I was also running giessmann bulbs in the fixture. I believe I ran a daylight,2x actinic plus and 1x aquablue.
Like someone else said,if you really wana grow some nice stuff just spend another $100 or $200 and get a real nice setup like the ati ones. Either that or try for a 6 bulb current t5 setup.
Just my 2 cents and a little experience I had.
I broke down my reef almost a year ago but next time I set up another one I am going to run w/halides or a better t5 setup. Right now I'm just having fun with this giant cichlid tank.