Lighting LED 40 gallon breeder

[kattsue]

I've been reading alot on here about lighting. I have an old aquaticlife 6 bulb from 65 gallon tank I used to have. I was planning on suspending it for my new tank but really would like LEDs. I don't want to spend a fortune yet. Was told to go with 2 AI hydra 26 HD and they are really nice. 700 dollars tho. Anyone know of a pretty good cheaper one with dawn to dusk feature that would support SPS? I'd like to be able to have SPS eventually

 

[mcgyvr]

I ran 2 x 120W Ocean revive LED fixtures (S026 model) at not even close to 50% power (roughly 6-8" off the water) and had no problems providing SPS with plenty of light.. I don't have a PAR meter though to verify what it actually was though..
2 of the normal 165W Chinese black box fixtures would work just fine too at less than 50% power again.. (actually 1 would be sufficient if you suspend it high enough to cover what you need running closer to 100%)
It would be nice to see some smaller like 80W Chinese black box fixtures..Not sure I've run across any yet..

A 40B should really only need something like 100W max of LEDs to grow whatever you want..

I just switched to an ATI 6 bulb 24" fixture though and am LOVING it..
Bulb replacement costs are just part of life IMO..
If I was really worried about money I wouldn't be in this hobby..

 

[kattsue]

Thank you. I've been searching all the forums and there's lots of info to sort through!!

 

[mcgyvr]

Thank you. I've been searching all the forums and there's lots of info to sort through!!

Then you are doing better/more than most.. Research..research..research..
Have fun..

 

[heathlindner25]

I have a single black box over my 40 breeder with sps.

 

[Ron Reefman]

A 24" Reef Breeders Photon V2 for $350 has all the control and PAR that you need. If you really want to spend money get a 32" V2 for $500. Way cheaper than 2 AI Hydra 26's and better looking to boot.

Look at them in my build thread (link in my sig below).

 

[heathlindner25]

A 24" Reef Breeders Photon V2 for $350 has all the control and PAR that you need. If you really want to spend money get a 32" V2 for $500. Way cheaper than 2 AI Hydra 26's and better looking to boot.

Look at them in my build thread (link in my sig below).

I've seen your tanks Ron, and I love them. Can I see a current photo of that 40 breeder?

 

[rjjr1963]

I've been reading alot on here about lighting. I have an old aquaticlife 6 bulb from 65 gallon tank I used to have. I was planning on suspending it for my new tank but really would like LEDs. I don't want to spend a fortune yet. Was told to go with 2 AI hydra 26 HD and they are really nice. 700 dollars tho. Anyone know of a pretty good cheaper one with dawn to dusk feature that would support SPS? I'd like to be able to have SPS eventually

AI Prime HD's. $225 each.

 

[Goatonfly]

Like the others have mentioned, there are lots of options. Do you have a price range to narrow it down to?

 

[kattsue]

Like the others have mentioned, there are lots of options. Do you have a price range to narrow it down to?

I actually ordered the reef breeder photon 24 v2. Hopefully I made a good choice. Has pretty good reviews.

 

[Ou8me2]

I'm not sure why others don't mention these black box LED that are also WIFI which allows you to have sunrise and sunset and lunar cycles. If I ever switch to LED I will probably be getting those.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391394461859

 

[Reefer40b]

A 24" Reef Breeders Photon V2 for $350 has all the control and PAR that you need. If you really want to spend money get a 32" V2 for $500. Way cheaper than 2 AI Hydra 26's and better looking to boot.

Look at them in my build thread (link in my sig below).

+1 My 32" V2 lights a 40 breeder beautifully, but as things grow in you may get some shadowing, down fall for all LED's, add a couple T5s and that will solve it or just start out with T5's. Either way they both grow anything you throw at them, best of luck!

 

[Reefer40b]

I actually ordered the reef breeder photon 24 v2. Hopefully I made a good choice. Has pretty good reviews.

You did, no worries there, check out paul glass on youtube he runs that light over his 40b.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I actually ordered the reef breeder photon 24 v2. Hopefully I made a good choice. Has pretty good reviews.

I think you made a good choice and will be very happy with it. I'm not sure about what legs come with the 24" version (I have the 50" and the 16"). I'd recommend you set it on your tank with the longer leg (probably 10" or 11") being the down leg and the shorter side (probably 8") as the one that slides into the fixture. The extra height off the water does 2 things for you, 1) better coverage end to end in the tank and 2) more room to work under the fixture in the tank. The extra height has very little affect on the PAR as this fixture is pretty powerful with both 3 watt and 5 watt leds.

 

[kattsue]

Thank you everyone for all your input!!!

 

[kattsue]

You did, no worries there, check out paul glass on youtube he runs that light over his 40b.

I will definitely check it out. Now I have my 6 bulb T5. Guess I'll save it in case I someday want another tank!!

 

[kattsue]

You did, no worries there, check out paul glass on youtube he runs that light over his 40b.

I watched his youtube and I want my tank to look just like his! A little concerned tho about zoas after reading the article on here about palytoxins. They're really pretty but I'd probably end up getting poisoned.

 

[Odysi]

I had the Photon 24 v1 over my 40b for 2 1/2 years and it was a great light. Im sure the v2 will do the same if not better. I had no issues with growing coral from softies to sps.

 

[Goatonfly]

I will definitely check it out. Now I have my 6 bulb T5. Guess I'll save it in case I someday want another tank!!

I might be interested in buying depending on what kind, if you wanted to get rid of.

 

[kattsue]

I might be interested in buying depending on what kind, if you wanted to get rid of.

I'll send you a message