sps dominant 40breeder lighting?

[Dkipp7]

So i have a 40breeder that is sps dominant. Right now im running a 36" 4bulb t5 w/ ATI bulbs. Front to back: blue +,purple +,aquablue special, blue+. I just acquired 2 250w metal halides. Would 2 250w halides be too much for a 40breeder? If so, could i run 150w bulbs instead of 250w? My question is, what would be better lights for color and growth the t5s or halides? I have good color and pretty good growth now with the t5s.

 

[ColaAddict]

Can't go wrong with either one. The 2x 250 watt might be overkill and give you bad heating issues. You can buy Reefbrites 175 watt hybrid halides fixture from @ R33FSWAGG3R awesome mix of halide and reefbrites LED.

 

[Darienreefs7]

My new system is going to be an sps dominated 40 breeder with an aquaticlife 4 bulb t5 and stunner strips to supplement. How did the ATI work for you?

 

[r33fswagg3r]

So i have a 40breeder that is sps dominant. Right now im running a 36" 4bulb t5 w/ ATI bulbs. Front to back: blue +,purple +,aquablue special, blue+. I just acquired 2 250w metal halides. Would 2 250w halides be too much for a 40breeder? If so, could i run 150w bulbs instead of 250w? My question is, what would be better lights for color and growth the t5s or halides? I have good color and pretty good growth now with the t5s.

2x 250W halides would be overkill for a 40 breeder. To switch to 175w bulbs you would have to buy 175w ballasts as well. Keep in mind at that point you can get 2 entire fixtures for less than what it would cost you to buy ballasts and bulbs.

 

[Dkipp7]

Thanks for the input! It was just a thought since i just got the halides. Originally got them for my indoor sulcata tortoise enclosure, so looks like thats what they will be used for lol

 

[Dkipp7]

My new system is going to be an sps dominated 40 breeder with an aquaticlife 4 bulb t5 and stunner strips to supplement. How did the ATI work for you?

Running 4 ati bulbs is working great on the 40breeder. Id really like to get a dimmable 6 bulb and then itd be perfect i think. I get a little shadowing front and back with just 4 bulbs.

 

[Top Water]

T5s would be ideal but a 48 inch fixture to get away from the 39 watt 36 inches
I can't figer out the real need for an ATI fixture a cheaper ts uses the same bulbs
I have mh t5s and LEDs on different tanks I like the t5s the most but mh for a deep tank

 

[ColaAddict]

48" is too long for a 40 breeder.
ATI fixtures gives the optimum cooling and reflectors for maximum PAR and life for the bulbs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Top Water]

This is alway what it comes down to is how much money do you want to piss away.
QUOTE=ColaAddict;281797]48" is too long for a 40 breeder.
ATI fixtures gives the optimum cooling and reflectors for maximum PAR and life for the bulbs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

 

[Dkipp7]

Here is my tank as of today. Crappy odyssea 4 bulb t5, replaced both the ballasts with one from a 8 bulb tek fixture. ATI bulbs front to back: blue+,purple +,aquablue special, blue +.

 

[Darienreefs7]

That's a 4 bulb fixture? That looks amazing.

 

[Dkipp7]

That's a 4 bulb fixture? That looks amazing.

Yep, 4 bulb fixture.

 

[Darienreefs7]

I thought my 40 breeder would have a ton of shadowing with a 4 bulb t5

 

[Dkipp7]

I thought my 40 breeder would have a ton of shadowing with a 4 bulb t5

I do have some shadowing on the front and backs of some corals depending on placement. Thats why id like a dimmable 6 bulb. I think a 36" 6 bulb at full power would be too much light thats why i want a dimmable.

Forgot to mention i also have a 24" 18w blue led strip mounted to the bottom of my t5 light.

 

[Darienreefs7]

Yup I plan to add about 3 stunner strips for supplemental lighting

 

[edin0009]

Hi I use to have 40b with 2X250 fixture and man it was great for growing corals! if you are looking to get MH I still have mine that come with bracket that fits perfect on a 40b and it is made for it ill give it to you for $100 or trade for corals let me know.
View attachment 7605

 

[Dkipp7]

Hi I use to have 40b with 2X250 fixture and man it was great for growing corals! if you are looking to get MH I still have mine that come with bracket that fits perfect on a 40b and it is made for it ill give it to you for $100 or trade for corals let me know.
View attachment 7605

do yo have any pics of the 40breeder with the halides on it?

 

[edin0009]

View attachment 7611

do yo have any pics of the 40breeder with the halides on it?