Which light setup for a Ritteri

[Postal]

I have a 5-bulb t5 retrofit on a 40 breeder tank. Will this be good for a mag?
My other option is to buy a small retrofit led kit. The one I am looking at would be 12 3w Cree led's on a 4.5" x 9" heatsink. If I go this route, then I will remove two t-5 bulbs and mount the leds over the pillar the mag will call home.

Do you think the led idea is worth the extra cash?

Thank you

 

[elegance coral]

I personally wouldn't bother with the LED's. If you have HO T5's with reflectors, you should have plenty of light. I always run MH's though

 

[Postal]

I have good bulbs, ballasts, and reflectors. Never used MH and I doubt I ever will.
The LED's just crossed my mind as a way to maybe keep the mag from wondering into a vortech and nuking my entire system. They would give more of single point source feel than the t5's. But I certainly don't mind saving the money if it won't help much.

 

[Winwood]

Plenty of light in that tank.

 

[garygb]

Yes, since you have individual reflectors and good quality bulbs your mags should be okay. 40 breeders are shallow tanks, so depth isn't likely to be an issue, but I would want mags mid-way up (or higher) in the water column to maximize light.

 

[Postal]

Thanks, gary.
The mag will be the only thing in the tank along with a pair of clowns. I'm planning on re-scaping to make a nice pillar front and center for the mag. Hopefully the this and having nice random flow from two vortechs will keep the mag happy and in one place.

 

[elegance coral]

Thanks, gary.
The mag will be the only thing in the tank along with a pair of clowns. I'm planning on re-scaping to make a nice pillar front and center for the mag. Hopefully the this and having nice random flow from two vortechs will keep the mag happy and in one place.

If the water chemistry is kept in check, the mag won't move from the position you describe. Even without the point source lighting.