lighting a 40 breeder

[steely185]

I will be purchasing lighting for a 40 breeder that I will be moving the contents of my 20H to in the next week or so. My current tank has a 150 watt sunpod lighting it. I want to either go the route of a 2 x150 watt sunpod or retrofit a canopy.

If I retrofit a canopy with a 250 watt MH and 4 x39 watt T5's will this
1) provide sufficient coverage of light throughout the tank
2) be overkill
3) focus to much light near the center of the tank and cause bleaching of corals?

 

[TheCoralNabber]

What reflector are you considering using for the 250? Also depends on what type of corals you are planning on running.

 

[kretzkiller]

I used to run that same setup on my breeder. It looks ok but plan on running a chiller

 

[E.intheC]

I'd go for a 2x150 setup for the breeder instead of the 250.. it's a pretty shalllow, wide tank, and that tends to look better with 2 MH bulbs. If you go with one, the middle will be much brighter than the ends.

IMO, If you're going with that much $.. look into a Tek fixture. You can pick up a 6 bulb that will be very nice.

 

[chilwil84]

i have a 6 bulb retro with icecap reflectors on a 40 breeder and i can really smoke some sps if i am not careful. imo 2 150s and 4 t5s would be plenty.

 

[noboddi]

I ran 2 150s and 2 T5s and it was plenty of light on a 40 breeder

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

T5's all the way, and without a doubt.

Give some thought, sleep on it

 

[SpencerG]

Just my opinion, but two 250s would be overkill, fry city. Two 150s would be very nice and more than enough light for SPS, clams, etc. I have a pendant with one 250 and two 65 watt PC actinics, and it works well but can be overwhelming for SPS up higher. The SPS actually grow best on the sand with this, and the pendant is about 10" above the water. If I had to do it again, I would go with either a 6 bulb T5 or two 150 watt MH with some actinics added.

Good luck!

 

[phurst]

Dan, I have 2x175 and 2x39 T5s over my 40B. You're welcome to come check it out and see what you think.

 

[kretzkiller]

I run the 6 bulb tek. It is more than enough light for my breeder.