lighting for 40g breeder

[Bruce51]

So I am planning my first saltwater system. 40 gallon breeder, 26 gallon sump/refugium. Going to start with a live rock/fish system and expend to "easy" corals when I am able to establish consistent water parameters. I have a 200$ budget for lights. Any suggestions? Tank is 36" long x 18" wide x 16" deep. Sandbed will be 1.5-2 inches deep, 50 pounds marko rocks + 8 to 15 pounds of live rock from LFS.:spin1:

 

[jaybfresh]

I use a single 250w radium bulb in a Hamilton Bali pendant on my 40B. You should be able to find something similar in your price range on the used market. Here's a pic from when I was setting up to give you an idea of the coverage:

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

You could also go for a 4 bulb T5 fixture.

 

[Bruce51]

well how about this http://www.ebay.com/itm/351197728613

 

[AdamNC]

Current Orbit has a nice low end LED fixture with a controller.

 

[Devaji108]

yeah lighting a 40br kinda can be tricky on the wallet. its an odd size as far as lighting goes...not a big tank but not a nano either.
I went with a BML MC series over mine up and coming 40br you can get there XB I believe for 289.. but there are options for around or under your price point.

but yea I like the current orbit. looks sleek. thinking of picking up one for a 20L they also make a "pro" unit to but it over 200.

the T5 units would work too. but keep in mind bulb changes every 6-8 months.
a MH pendent like posted would deff. do the job. but man do they put out heat.

I am more of an LED guy myself.

you could get 2 black box off ebay or 1 -300W one like this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MarsAqua-Di...493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b029756ad

 

[dsmooth]

I started my 40b off with a Tek 6 bulb I love that light grew anything you wanted, just recently switched over to a maxspect 160w 16k.

 

[kylebeano]

Not many options under $200 for something that will grow and color corals down the road, but for around $300 I made this fixture from used items (except bulbs) found here on RC. And because the LEDs are controllable and the main light source, I only run the T5 bulbs 4.5 hours a day, effectively extending their life span.
If you are up for a little DIY, this was pretty easy, and pretty low power consumption.
You can have best of both on a budget. I purchased a used 6 bulb tek T5HO fixture, took out the second two bulbs and reflectors, moved some endcaps around, and mounted the current orbit marine LED fixture up there. The LED fixture isnt cree power, but its enough, and it controllable through their included sunrise/sunset/storm controller. Total cost was around $300. It grows SPS, clams, and with the multiple spectrum of LEDs in the fixture, and endless combinations of T5 bulbs, really brings out the colors in my fish/coral.

Here you can see a reflection of the lights, back to front, blue+/coral+/orbit/actinic/blue+. There is also a 12 cree royal blue strip attached in the back as supplement (at an angle)

And here is a shot from under the fixture (with my first bulb combo):

 

[Devaji108]

^ nice job sir!

 

[Devaji108]

OP. you could always do A DIY for under 200 most likely.
check Rapid led. I made one fpr a 75 a few years back its not all that hard. I went with Al. channel for the HS.

also like the idea of getting 1 current orbit . save the other 50 away somewhere. and after 6 months or so get another if you find you need it.

 

[cloak]

I use a single 250w radium bulb in a Hamilton Bali pendant on my 40B. You should be able to find something similar in your price range on the used market. Here's a pic from when I was setting up to give you an idea of the coverage:

This is what I would do. ^^^

Simple, clean & you can keep pretty much anything you want. Heat can easily be alleviated with a cheap household fan and the cost of replacing a bulb every 8-12 months is peanuts IMO.

 

[christopherjudd]

if u wanna bump up your budget a lil bit, you can get a ati 4 bulb fixture

 

[cma]

my 40g breeder has a mars aqua 165w full spectrum led. I got mine for about 100$ off ebay.