40 breeder lighting suggestion

[royy13]

I am currently thinking of upgrading my 20 long to a 40 breeder. I know my Current Marine LED will not cut it on the 40. So I figure the following are my best options: 2 AI Prime HD units, a single hydra 26, or maybe a used hydra 52. I'm worried about the hydra units shadowing if I have a single unit, but also worry that the Primes won't cut it. Anyone out there have any of these setups on a 40 breeder.

I plan on mostly SPS with a few mixed corals.

Thanks,
Roy

 

[Ebone]

i would use 2 primes or a single 52 over a single 26... but I would use 2 26's before 2 primes or a single 52

 

[rjjr1963]

I just put two Primer HD's on my 40 and they are awesome. Great software interface and look amazing. The small form factor is great for top down viewing. Great adjustability.

 

[royy13]

I just put two Primer HD's on my 40 and they are awesome. Great software interface and look amazing. The small form factor is great for top down viewing. Great adjustability.

So the tank isn't too deep for sps using the primes?

 

[rjjr1963]

So the tank isn't too deep for sps using the primes?

I had just installed the lights and my tank blew up due to kalk OD so I can't answer that. The 40b is only 16" deep so I don't anticipate a problem. I kept a lot of SPS with the standard Orbit Marine.

 

[royy13]

I have the standard Orbit Marine on my 20L, although I have SPS growth, it's slow growth. I would like to see better growth, and better coral color, than what I get from the Orbit Marine. Anyone that has a 40 breeder know for sure if I will get good growth with Primes? If not I may go with a single hydra 26 and then add a 2nd when finances allow. The problem is that I may not have enough for a second unit in the near future. I could do the two Primes relatively soon so I'm leaning that way, but if the evidence from others does not support this plan than the hydras it will be.

 

[Teenreefer15]

i would use 2 primes or a single 52 over a single 26... but I would use 2 26's before 2 primes or a single 52

 

[BryanS4]

If you want sps from top to bottom two primes aren't going to cut it. Might keep them alive, but growth would be really slow.

I have a 6 bulb Sunpower over my kids 40b.

 

[royy13]

If you want sps from top to bottom two primes aren't going to cut it. Might keep them alive, but growth would be really slow.

I have a 6 bulb Sunpower over my kids 40b.

I'm trying to stay away from t5 and Halides for 3 reasons; 1. Heat, 2. Light spill and 3. Bulb replacement cost. I have 2 - 250w MH fixtures from my old 90 but don't want the problems that I mentioned. LED has no light spill, bulb replacement cost, or light spill.

 

[rjjr1963]

I have the standard Orbit Marine on my 20L, although I have SPS growth, it's slow growth. I would like to see better growth, and better coral color, than what I get from the Orbit Marine. Anyone that has a 40 breeder know for sure if I will get good growth with Primes? If not I may go with a single hydra 26 and then add a 2nd when finances allow. The problem is that I may not have enough for a second unit in the near future. I could do the two Primes relatively soon so I'm leaning that way, but if the evidence from others does not support this plan than the hydras it will be.

Many things can cause corals slow growth. The three larger SPS in this shot started out as very small frags 8 months before. All were grown under the Orbit Marine.

 

[rjjr1963]

I have a 6 bulb Sunpower over my kids 40b.

Hard to beat that. How long is the fixture? I'm thinking about using a 60"x8 fixture with some Primes to supplement them on my new build.

 

[BryanS4]

I have a 6x39 with reefbrite over the 40b.

I also have a 6x80 with reefbrites over my display which is in the process of being broken down and will be replaced with a 60x24x24 and will keep the fixture over that as well.

 

[Hentz]

Simple. Two Hydra 26HD's.

I ran a 56 Gallon Tank that was only inches off of a 40 Breeder. Sps dominant with two Hydra 26HD's. Three before I went T5 due to my Internet in the house.

Running a Hydra 26HD again over my downgrade.

This all being said, you wouldn't be able to get away with 1 Hydra 26. I wouldn't even do 1 Hydra 52. And scratch out the primes if you're doing SPS dominant.

I'm currently running a mock profile on my Hydra from Ecotech Marine's SPS AB+. I'm having absolutely amazing success with SPS right now, just as I have before with my Hydras!

 

[Hentz]

For what it's worth, here was my tank. 36x18x19.




Top picture was with ATI T5. Bottom was with Hydra 26 HD's.


Here was my Red Dragon