Would an ATI fixture be too much light?

[Twinn]

Just as the thread states I'm wondering if a 6 bulb 36" ATI (sunpower) T5 fixture would be too much light for a mixed reef on 40 gal breeder tank.

I want to keep SPS on the top half and LPS on the bottom half. Looking to keep open brains, acans and favia for LPS so I don't want too much light.

[bauder1986]

I have a 6 bulb DYI light on my 39 gallon. Works nicely. Just have to modify your lighting a bit on the bulb end and I have lots of LPS SPS and softies and Clams in my tank with great color and full polyp extension

[Ron99]

Should be tons of light for a 40 breeder. You should be able to keep high light SPS down to the bottom.

[Rbacchiega]

I'd say go for it....if you find that your lower light corals aren't doing well you can always look at hanging the light fixture and raising it up a bit.

[burrows14]

If your keeping lps too I would have the light at least 8" above the tank or they might melt on you lol but like Ron said you will be able to keep sps anywhere including the bottom:)

Cheers
Ray

[JMes]

It's not too much light. I have an 6 x 24w ATI PM on a LPS 25 gallon. My tank is only 14" high. My fixture is 6 inches from the water surface and most of my 30+ Aussie Acan colonies are 2-4 inches below the water surface and all of them are doing just fine. As with all corals just acclimate them properly.

[Twinn]

Thanks for all the response, I know the fixture will allow SPS anywhere I am more worried it will melt LPS

[BlueTang<3]

If you find the light to be too much you could always run egg crate on the top of the tank for a bit over the lps to shade them and slowly remove it to acclimate them to the light.

[bauder1986]

also you need to keep in mind that since you are already planning to keep sps up top you can do what i did and run 3 actinics, 2 new gens and one 14k and you maintiain high par up top with out ****ing off any lps and softies at the bottom

[Ron99]

And if you can set up some overhangs in your rock you can put the LPS in the shade.

[Twinn]

Again thanks for all the ideas, never thought of the egg crate one but I bet it would work great. And yes I'm sure over hangs will be a must. I'm not a huge fane of raising the light too high as I don't want light spilling into the room.