Lighting options for a 40br

[PufferNut]

After much planning, I finally make great strides in building my new 40br setup. Glass drilled, plumbing mostly planned, a diy stand basically complete. It's time to think lighting. I have bee leaning twards dome kind of 6 bulb t5 fixture. The initial cost of LED's is outta my reach I'm afraid although I could be wrong. I recently came across an old magnetic ballast and fixture for 400w mh. Would this be too much for my setup? I am going hard coral exclusively in this tank, already have a couple small acro colonies, a couple chalices and some various euphillia frags waiting in my current setup.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I'm a big fan of DIY LED.

I decided to tear down my 75 gallon tank last fall, house my corals with a friend, and redo everything. I sold off my t5 Tek fixture and put some more money into a DIY LED setup. It is nearing completion. It may cost a little extra up front, but it will save that money quickly when it uses less electricity and you don't have to replace the bulbs.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Is a 400w MH too much? Really depends on your canopy design and overall system design IMHO. If you put it inches off the water in an enclosed canopy and choose a lamp with really high PAR it'll probably cause temperature issues and likely it'll be too intense to keep anything.

If you bring it up off the water a significant distance and choose a lamp with a more moderate output you might find it's perfect.

How long do you plan on running this system for? An LED rig appropriate for a 40b might only consume 50w. Compared to the 400 - 500w a 400w MH rig uses, at typical electricity costs, (plus lamp replacement costs) the LEDs will pay for themselves in a year or two.

 

[PufferNut]

This is gonna be my my main setup for a long time likely. I have taken basic electronics and I wouldn't be scarred to go diy led, just unsure of even were to start. I've tried reading up on it but it seems like I'm way behind the curve. guess I should start reading that diy thread here lol.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

You're kinda close to Rochester. Might make sense to tag along for the DIY LED meet if/when it happens. That thread has some good links in it to get started - ask away if you have questions.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I'm not sure where in Livingston County you are, but I should have my LED build done by next weekend. You're more than welcome to come up and check it out. I'm sure there are a few other local people in Rochester that have DIY LED fixtures too. It may be worth visiting a few of them to see what you like and maybe get a few ideas.