Lighting a 40 Gallon breeder

[Blue04]

I recently got back into the hobby after 2 years and i thought i would start small with a 40 gallon breeder.

I would like to keep several softies in this tank, with the hopes of a clam or 2 as well. I never kept a clam in my previous tank so i figured i would ask what lighting would be appropriate.

I've looked at several 36" fixtures that consist of either t-5's, metal halides or a combination of both. Also looked into a retrofit kit as well, but would have to build a canopy which i currently dont have. Im not sure if im asking for alot here but my budget for such a light no more than $300.

What would be your suggestion for lighting my setup? As stated before, would like to keep several softies including zoas, muschrooms, some leathers, anemone or two and a clam or two.

Thanks in advance for any info you have to offer

 

[noboddi]

Icecap has a nice pre wired 4 bulb T5 retrofit kit

Aquatic Life makes a quality 4 bulb T5 fixture in your price range too

 

[Blue04]

Would T-5s be enough for a clam? I was under the impression they required more lighting than that?

 

[noboddi]

People who don't have them don't credit T5s for beings as bright as they are. Yes, you can grow corals under them but I don't know clams - I do know the guy who designed this fixture grew clams under them on a 75. Besides, for $300 you can't afford halides. This fits your budget constraints

 

[Blue04]

Ive found several setups on ebay, even hellolights that are 36" and contain 1 150watt halide combined with t5's.

Here are the two setups ive been looking at:
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1355

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1356

Just didnt know if the halide was necessary for the clam, i dont want to have to upgrade lights later on. If it would be better to have the halide, would the 250 be too much for such a shallow tank?

 

[redfishsc]

Re: Lighting a 40 Gallon breeder

To answer the question above, you can definitely grow clams under T5. I would go with a 6-tube model, personally, but I'm sure it could even be done with a 4 tube so long as you had parabolic reflectors.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839355#post14839355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blue04
I recently got back into the hobby after 2 years and i thought i would start small with a 40 gallon breeder.

Considering the way you worded that, I give this tank 6 months before it becomes a sump for something a bit more reefy-beefy

I would like to keep several softies in this tank, with the hopes of a clam or 2 as well. I never kept a clam in my previous tank so i figured i would ask what lighting would be appropriate.

If you left out the clam part, I'd say you can use a 4-tube model so long as you have good parabolic reflectors.

I've looked at several 36" fixtures that consist of either t-5's, metal halides or a combination of both. Also looked into a retrofit kit as well, but would have to build a canopy which i currently dont have. Im not sure if im asking for alot here but my budget for such a light no more than $300.

The Nova Extreme Pro 6-tube model would be ideal for you. It has "mid range" quality reflectors--- they aren't parabolic but are much better than some reflectors out there, and it has nice cooling fans.

Other than that, go with an IceCap retrofit from ReefGeek. Don't get the overdriven versions since you do NOT need to overdrive them in a 40-breeder. Just stick with "HO" and not "V-HO" T5 Icecaps.

 

[Blue04]

Thank for the reply. I'm sure the 40 will be a sump someday. My last tank was a 125 and it was a little much to keep up with after we had our son.

So for now, the 40 will ease me back into the hobby and "scratch the itch" so to say until i can save up for a decent sized tank.

Thanks again.