best light for 40 breeder?

[lsvagabond]

I am looking into getting a 40 gal breeder and was curious about what you all thought about lights for it. I have always used PCs and been fond of the but am open to new stuff. I dont plan on doing a big ol SPS tank so do not really need overkill lighting but it would be nice to have something to grow with. The tank dimensions are 36 long 18 wide 16 tall. Options I am looking into would be a 250 metal halide (around $240 i believe) and a 36" Nova Extreme 4x39 watt T5HO w/ 3 Lunar Lights for $180. I know the MH would do the job for sure but have less info on the T5s. I am also shocked at the price on this particular T5 compared to others, seems to good to be true. Any helpfultips out there?
thanks
mike

 

[hansnfrans]

I have a 175w MH over mine and I'm pretty happy with that, but if I were to do it all over again I would go with T5's, no doubt. All it took is one trip over to NewSchool04's house to see his 75gal with T5's and I fell in love with that lighting. He successfully keeps SPS under the T5's, so using T5's wouldn't really affect the coral stocking of your tank. The only thing that I probably wouldn't keep under the T5's is clams and carpet anemones, but it may be possible. BTW: the coloration of the corals under T5's is second to none.

 

[glassbox-design]

Nova's are so much less compared to tek, ati, aquatinics etc...because they do not have individual reflectors.

With that said on our 20 high we grow all sps under a 24in nova system with great growth and color. IME they are great for softies and LPS, and if you water has ow nutrients even SPS.

e+f

 

[Douglas LEHMAN]

Hello
I have a pair of 175 watt Ushio's and 2-3' VHO actinic over my 40 gallon. Good color and coral/clam growth.

 

[pusanpa]

I have 192W pc lighting on my breeder it is just not enough.
Soon I am adding two metal halides(150w DE or 175w SE) because I love the shimmering effect of MH.

 

[Rod Buehler]

The reason thatthe 40 breeders are one of my favorite tanks (besided aquascaping) is that due to the tank not having a center brace, one MH will work great. With a slightly higher wattage, you can hang it a few inches higher and get close to a full 36" spread. It will be a little more dim at the edges, but that is nice for the corals that demand less light.

 

[lessthanlights]

4x39 Tek T5 all the way! I didn't even consider anything else.

 

[newnano]

when you find a t5 fixture that is considerably lower in price find out whether the bulbs have individual reflectors or one giant reflector ffor all. that usually is the difference.

 

[MikeD]

I am using a 4 bulb tek light fixture on my 40 breeder!!!

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

I'm taggin along on this because I too am shopping for new lights for my 40g breeder upgrade.

I almost pulled the trigger and bought those Nova T5's for $180. Will the Tek T5s be that much better than the Nova T5s?????

 

[snookhunter]

I have a 4x39 Tek retrofit over a 50 gallon. SPS grow great under those lights, also have kept clams too. They have an Icecap Ballast too.

The Tek have individual reflectors which are highly recommended/necessary so that may be where the price difference is (?).