Which Fixture Would You Recommend for a 40 Gallon Breeder?

[Puff]

tank measures roughly 36" x 18" x 16".

im trying to decide whether to go for metal halide or T5s. im trying not to break the bank, and have narrowed it down to 6 or so fixtures (although im still up for suggestions!).

which of these would some of you recommend?

i was at Seahorse_Fanatic's house today and was very impressed by the 250W aquamedic that he was running on one of his tanks, so that is at the top of my list right now.


Metal Halide
250W Aquamedic MH (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~AQOL5.html)

IceCap 250W HQI All Aluminum Pendant (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~IC3711.html) (with IceCap 250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide / HQI Ballast (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~IC3161.html))

(two) JBJ K-2 Viper 150W HQI Clamp on Lamp Lighting Fixture (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~JB9113.html)

T5HO
Current USA Nova Extreme 4x39W T5HO (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CU01121.html)

Current USA 6x39W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~SearchStr~pro~action~view~idProduct~CU 01080~idCategory~FILTFIT56U~category~36_inch_Curre nt_USA_6x39W_Nova_Extreme_Pro_T5HO_3_10k_3_460nm_A ctinics_36in_Units~vendor~.html)

Current USA SunDial T5 HO 4x39W w/ Timers & LED (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~SearchStr~sundial~action~view~idProduc t~CU01152~idCategory~FILTFIT56U~category~36_inch_C urrent_USA_SunDial_T5_HO_4x39W_w__Timers___LED_36i n_Units~vendor~.html)

[Samw]

Did you consider this as one of your options? You can go dual 150 or dual 250. Comes with LED moonlights.

http://www.current-usa.com/sunpod.html

This costs less than the 2 Aquamedics and possibly the IceCap pendant ballast combo as well.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CU01163.html


*EDIT*

Oops, I misread. I thought you were considering dual 150 or 250 pendants, not a single pendant. Ignore this post then. :)

[Myka]

Google "Sanjay reef lighting".

If you go with MH don't go HQI, go mogul. The moguls have much better coverage. I did a lot of studying when I was gonna set up my 65g (same dimensions as your, but taller), and decided on the large Lumenarc reflector, a PFO 400w HQI ballast, and a Giesemann 400w Coral 14,500K mogul bulb.

Your biggest issue will be to spread that MH light the full 36" of the tank. MH are generally considered to cover a 24x24" area, not 36". The Lumenarc reflector is known as the best reflector on the market to spread light evenly, and as far as possible, and keeping the PAR as high as possible. So this would be the best reflector choice for you.

Choosing to run a mogul bulb on an HQI ballast will overdrive the bulb and put out WAAAAAY more PAR than a regular mogul or even an HQI. Be sure to choose a mogul bulb that is compatible with an HQI ballast.

I picked the Giesemann Coral 14,500K mogul bulb because they have the greatest output run on a PFO 400w HQI ballast. If you want to go with 250w, then the XM 10K mogul bulb has the highest output on the PFO HQI ballast, but would need to be supplemented with some serious actinic to pull away from the yellow tint of the 10K.

Check out Sanjay's website to compare PAR (look at the PPFD number...the higher the better). Pick a ballast and compare the bulbs to it.

For T5s, I would go with Sunlight Supply Tek or Aquactinic.

[Puff]

how much did that light and reflector cost?

most likely a LOT more than i have to spend!!! im trying to spend a max of about 400$. your setup sounds absolutely amazing though! im jealous!

what about 2 150W clamp ons or something?

[Myka]

Most clamp ons suck. Look for pendants.

You're looking at about $500 for Lumenarc reflector, 400w HQI ballast, and Giesemann bulb. With tax. A bit less for 250w.

I forgot to ask...what kind of corals do you plan on keeping? Maybe you don't need this super powerful lighting...?

[Puff]

Did you consider this as one of your options? You can go dual 150 or dual 250. Comes with LED moonlights.

http://www.current-usa.com/sunpod.html

This costs less than the 2 Aquamedics and possibly the IceCap pendant ballast combo as well.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CU01163.html

i have a 20" 150W sunpod on my 24G aquapod. great lights, but they run nearly 600$ for the 36" one!!

if i went with the ice cap the 250W pendant would be 150$ and the ballast would be 130$. so 280$ for ONE 250W setup (plus bulb)

one 250W aquamedic is 299.99, or i could get two 150W aquamedics for 200$ each.

would 2 150W cover the tank properly?

[Myka]

Probably...depends on what kind of corals you want.

[Myka]

Wouldn't it cost less to buy a single pendant like a Lumenarc? They are about $160, plus your choice of ballast and bulb. If you don't want to keep SPS, then you likely don't need the big guns, but the single Lumenarc reflector should do a good job covering that tank.

If you're stuck on getting two, then go for PFO mini HQI pendants. :) they are $120 each, plus ballast (you can get a dual ballast), plus bulbs.

I think the Lumenarc would be your cheapest route. Think of all the T5 bulbs you'll have to buy!

[Samw]

i have a 20" 150W sunpod on my 24G aquapod. great lights, but they run nearly 600$ for the 36" one!!

if i went with the ice cap the 250W pendant would be 150$ and the ballast would be 130$. so 280$ for ONE 250W setup (plus bulb)

one 250W aquamedic is 299.99, or i could get two 150W aquamedics for 200$ each.

would 2 150W cover the tank properly?


Since you asked, I think dual 150's would be better than 1 250 on a 36" tank.

The dual 150 Sunpod is about $460.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CU-USA01063&Category_Code=

You can get pendants cheaper. But for my tank, I prefer a hood because I don't need to hang them. I just put it right on the top of the tank and I haven't had heat issues. I don't have a Sunpod so I can't comment on its performance. I like that the ballasts on Sunpod 150's are enclosed rather than remote. I have remote ballasts now but wished they were enclosed to save space and wiring.

[Puff]

Wouldn't it cost less to buy a single pendant like a Lumenarc? They are about $160, plus your choice of ballast and bulb. If you don't want to keep SPS, then you likely don't need the big guns, but the single Lumenarc reflector should do a good job covering that tank.

If you're stuck on getting two, then go for PFO mini HQI pendants. :) they are $120 each, plus ballast (you can get a dual ballast), plus bulbs.

I think the Lumenarc would be your cheapest route. Think of all the T5 bulbs you'll have to buy!

i MIGHT have an SPS or two, but it would most likely just be monti caps or digitata (which i have under my 150W sunpod). other than that i dont need too much light.

where can i find these Lumenarc reflectors and other stuff that you listed?

i might look at a 50 gallon breeder now (just measured out a 40G breeder and it seems a bit shallower than i thought, the 50 is only 2 inches taller though, so im not sure if my lighting choice would have to be altered too much.

thanks a lot for all this help everyone, im very appreciative of it!

[Drock169]

Dave, I've got a used 36" inch fixture, 1 250W HQI with the actinics and moonlighting. If you need one cheap let me know.

[Puff]

Dave, I've got a used 36" inch fixture, 1 250W HQI with the actinics and moonlighting. If you need one cheap let me know.

what fixture is it?

im deciding whether to go with 2 150W for better coverage, or just 1 250.

thanks for the offer man.

havent seen you in JL lately, you still working there?

[Myka]

If you go with a single MH bulb, be sure to go with a mogul for better coverage. I decided to sell my 65g because of the waste. If you're going to buy 2 lights you may as well have a 48" tank. I didn't want to upgrade ALL my equipment, so I decided to go with a cube instead with a single bulb.

Everything I listed you can get at J&L. Talk to Mike, Jack, or Jeff about lighting there...they will all keep you well taken care of.

[Drock169]

Its an odyssea fixture. but i would honestly recommend you go with the dual 150W. Youre going to notice 6" on each side that will get minimal light. The 150W's will give you better coverage and more than enough light.