What wattage MH do I need for a 40 Breeder tank.

[Blinkgyrl2987]

I would like to be able to house all corals, mostly soft corals to start but if later On I wanted to try other more advanced things I'd want to be able to.

I was thinking something I could mount from the ceiling would be best, all I plan on having over the tank is egg crate to keep blennies and gobys from commiting suicide. And if I need a fan of some sort to breeze the surface of the water, that would be fine too.

Anyone have any specific Ideas, shimmery lighting would be awesome. Help me out if you can. I know nothing about lighting.... its my least favorite part about reef keeping.

Thanks in advance, Megs

 

[GSMguy]

there are tons of options for your tank what is your budget?

 

[Blinkgyrl2987]

not something insane... no more than 300 something if I have too... it depends though... my buddy is telling me braces to hold the lighting might be easier than the ceiling mount

 

[GSMguy]

is your ceiling wood the ceiling mounts are only two screws
ah 300 is the perfect budget you should get the
aqua medic ocean light250 like mine i paid 270something shipped with a 20k ushio bulb im very happy with it i just got it and love it
here is mine i made this cheap stand in 5 minutes but the ceiling would work better my tank is just the same as a 40br just a lil deeper 2inches my friend has a 40br with two of these pendants, that is what i will have when i replacee that crappy 175watt bell pendant
the other option would be the aquatinics t5 system but thats like 410dollars give or take with shipping
here is my tank colors on the 20k are amazing nothing in a powercompact could compare thats for sure

 

[pjf]

I understand that a 40-gallon breeder has the following dimensions: 36x18x16. If you like “glitter lines,” check out the 36” Current Sunpod 2x150-watt HQI fixture on sale at www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13975&N=2004+113030.

Better pictures are here: www.current-usa.com/sunpod.html.

 

[mikeosoft]

I'm putting a single 150watt HQI MH supplimented by two 36" T5 HO actinics over my 40g breeder. Both are retro systems that I'm going to mount in a canopy.

If I need more, I could easily add another 150watt HQI MH or a couple extra T5's.

Mike

 

[GSMguy]

one single 250 will be more efficent and just perfect over a 40 br

 

[Mariner]

You have lots of options. Here are a few I went through. Originally, I had 4 x 96w power compacts over my 40 breeder. Plenty of light, it looked nice, but no glitter lines.

Soooo, I built a canopy out of Aspen plywood -- very easy to do, cost less than $50. At first I had a 400w MH in there, but I decided it was too much light. Recently, I found a used 250w MH ballast and pendant here on RC for $100, and then I bought a new 14k Hamilton MH bulb on sale. Notice: the canopy, used light set up, and a new bulb cost a total of about $210. Here's the result.

HTH,
Mariner

 

[powdertang05]

i used a duel 250's from icecap with de pheonix love that flippin tank!

 

[Blinkgyrl2987]

Okay so from what I'm getting is that I need anywhere from 250-300 watts? is this correct? From what I've seen I like the shimmery effect of GSMGuys Tank. However I think if I were to try and do the ceiling deal it wouldnt work. And I couldn't make a stand like that because my tank is sitting on a stand.

I still have no clue what I'm going to do. I have a satellite compact on my 20 L right now... I have no clue how many watts or how much it cost.. my mom threw the box away and I've never payed that much attention til now... now that I'm getting the nicer tank.

I do want glitter lines though. Can I never get this with compacts? Can I get this with Metal Halides and could they go under a canopy or would this be too hot? So many choices!

I still need help. more pictures might help. But like I said the aqua medic ocean light250 with the 20K ushio bulb comes closest to what I'm looking for. I just dont know about mounting. How would that look hanging that far down from the ceiling.. I dont know.

 

[Mariner]

I think the 250w MH is ideal. You will get glitter lines with MH.
You can put MH in a canopy and it will not get too hot -- build the canopy high, leave it somewhat open in back, put a fan in the side (in my case, a small computer fan from Staples). I have no heat issues, and didn't even when I was running the 400w MH. Tank temp stays 79-80 with no chiller.
HTH,
Mariner

 

[pjf]

Tank Mounting Legs

Tank Mounting Legs

From your more recent comments, it appears that you want a shimmer-producing light fixture that mounts to the top of your aquarium and not the ceiling.

I recommend a compact HQI metal halide fixture with tank mounting legs. Some of them are combined with fluorescent tubes and LED’s. The following link shows a 36” Coralife Aqualight Pro (1x150w HQI + 2x65w CF + 2xLED): www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_HQIProaqualight.html.

I'm not sure if you need the compact fluorescent (CF) tubes but I have not been able to find a simple 1x150-watt HQI + LED fixture that mounts to your tank.

 

[Mariner]

Nice work PJF. I agree, that's exactly what it sounds like she's looking for. If she can find something like that on sale or used (in her price range) she'll be in business.
Mariner

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8797778#post8797778 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blinkgyrl2987
Okay so from what I'm getting is that I need anywhere from 250-300 watts? is this correct? From what I've seen I like the shimmery effect of GSMGuys Tank. However I think if I were to try and do the ceiling deal it wouldnt work. And I couldn't make a stand like that because my tank is sitting on a stand.

I still have no clue what I'm going to do. I have a satellite compact on my 20 L right now... I have no clue how many watts or how much it cost.. my mom threw the box away and I've never payed that much attention til now... now that I'm getting the nicer tank.

I do want glitter lines though. Can I never get this with compacts? Can I get this with Metal Halides and could they go under a canopy or would this be too hot? So many choices!

I still need help. more pictures might help. But like I said the aqua medic ocean light250 with the 20K ushio bulb comes closest to what I'm looking for. I just dont know about mounting. How would that look hanging that far down from the ceiling.. I dont know.

i think it would look really good the ocean light comes with a hanging kit my. tank sparkles like you woldent beleiveAND THE 20K USHIO IS A VERY NICE BULB
I PROMISE THIS WILL BE MORE THAN ENOUGH LIGHT TAKE UP VERY LITTLE SPACE AND MAKE YOUR TANK SPARKLE THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GET THE SPARKLE THAT IS METAL HALIDE ALSO THE HQI BULBS AND SMALL REFLECTORS SEEM TO SHINE MORE
HERE IS ANOTHER PIC OF WHAT IM WORKING WITH
THE SPARKLE IS AMAZING AND THE 250 PUTS OFF LESS HEAT THAN THAT CRAPPY BELL PENDANT

 

[GSMguy]

sorry pics are not as good as they couldbe

 

[pjf]

20K less likely to Photoinhibit & Overheat

20K less likely to Photoinhibit & Overheat

GSMGuy has a point here although his rationale may be different from mine. The bulbs with the higher color temperature, such as the 20K bulbs, have a lower light output. Sometimes, it is half that of a 10K bulb (www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2004/review.htm). When you mount a MH so close to your tank, it is important to avoid photo-inhibiting your corals and overheating your tank. The 20K bulbs will also produce a deeper blue color. Here is another suggestion:

• Consider the Current Sunpod (2x150w HQI + 18xLED) for $382.49 (on sale) at: www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13975&N=2004+113030
• Ask the retailer if the 14K bulbs in the fixture can be replaced with the Current 20K bulbs (item #CD-21135) at: www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13318&N=2004+113353

One last thought: If you plan to use MH lighting, be sure to provide good water circulation in your tank with a skimmer or pump. The light will drive photosynthesis and photosynthesis requires respiration. Since corals don't have lungs or gills, good circulation is needed to avoid chronic photoinhibition (www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/6/aafeature2).

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8797298#post8797298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by powdertang05
i used a duel 250's from icecap with de pheonix love that flippin tank!

yup 2X 250 is the way to go

 

[Blinkgyrl2987]

I recommend a compact HQI metal halide fixture with tank mounting legs. Some of them are combined with fluorescent tubes and LED’s. The following link shows a 36” Coralife Aqualight Pro (1x150w HQI + 2x65w CF + 2xLED): www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power...oaqualight.html.

That is the $428 OPTION - With that one my question is ...is the 1 -150w bulb enough? and does the actuall MH itself produce blue or white light or a mixture? Because I'm confused by the actinics, I know thats Blue light... so what is the deal with all these "lunar lights".

Sorry Guys I am so new to this part! But I'm getting there. Also what does HQI stand for?


THIS IS the $382 Options -
• Consider the Current Sunpod (2x150w HQI + 18xLED) for $382.49 (on sale) at: www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...5&N=2004+113030
• Ask the retailer if the 14K bulbs in the fixture can be replaced with the Current 20K bulbs (item #CD-21135) at: www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...8&N=2004+113353


And with this one its 2 -150 watt bulbs, no actinics? and 12 Lunar Lights 6 blue, 6 white. SO suddenly no PC actinics butt higher watt HQI. I just dont understand all these little differences and what the different lights will produce color wise.

I understand the 20K produces the Deep blue color... and a lower light output. So what really am I looking for?

Eventually I will get a canopy, My lights dont have to necessarily be mounted inside I guess if its a possibility that they can just sit on top. ( Remember it will be eggcrate)

All options look good. I just dont understand the differences.

GSMGuy: Your second picture looks much more blue than the first one. I seem to like the light hanging to the right.. is that the one your talking about? I dont want too Blue... inbetween blue and white would be nice, and I like how its not SOO bright that I'm blinded. That light would have to hang huh? or could be mounted in the canopy?

Another question... why is the so called MH such a small portion of the fixture? Usually right in the center and thats it?

 

[Blinkgyrl2987]

Is it just me or does that picture of the Sun Pod HQI fixture make the water look more blue than normal? Or would that look nice.

Do you guys prefer something open like GSMguys Ocean Light? or The compacts that can use mounting legs to sit on top?

I realy like the aqua medic ocean light250 but he said he plans on having 2 of those fixtures, so that would mean I need 2 or one?

Also what is photoinhibiting? I plan to have really awesome circulation and water movement throughout the tank and especially at the surface and fans so I hope the overheating part wont happen, I guess I won't know until I pick a light and decided how close to the water it will be.

 

[Blinkgyrl2987]

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lighting_metal_halide_aqua_medic_ocean_lights.asp?CartId=

I think this is where the Aqua medic Ocean Light can be found.. with 10K or 20 K bulbs... I like the idea just so different from what you guys are showing with the more compact lightings... Advantages dissadvantages to both?