Lights on 40 Gallon breeder! :D

Charley Diesing · 03/03/2011, 12:37 AM

Mkay so first off. My knowledge in lights=very small, of all knowledge I have which isn't much, so its even less then you probably think it is. :P

As plans for what I want to keep the tank will be mainly devoted to invertebrates and fish. I'm not a big clam lover but I would like a carpet anemone. Keep in mind the 40 gallon breeder is actually 47 gallons. Dimensions 36Lx18Dx16H. Also would like to keep some mix of corals. But mainly beginner corals like Xenia, GSP, and some Zoas

So this is my problem. I hope you have an answer. Also I really like more of a white shimmer. Not very fond of the blue lights, seems fake to me. Takes away the natural beauty in my opinion

I'm planning on setting up a 40 gallon breeder soon. And I need lights. however my design is rather unique. The rocks will be coming out of the middle of the aquarium. where the overflow will flow down the rocks. Very much like Konolua's unique and beautiful setup.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hlight=volcano

1st option is T5 lights that have enough power to penetrate farther then they normally would have to because of the pile of rocks sticking out of the tank. This might and probably isn't an option, but I thought I'd leave it there.

2nd option is Metal Halide. Problem with this is I don't know if I would need a chiller for one, and they are rather expensive unless I was going to try and craigslist it I would say its a little bit out of my budget especially if I needed two.

3rd option is LED lights. I really don't know much about these at all. I've heard a lot about, 7 LED PAR38 Bulb's but whats your thoughts on this? Here is a link to the site.

http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...lbs/Categories

Also keep in mind that my aquarium is 16 inches high. And they will need to be raised probably about 6-12 inches out of the aquarium.

Feel free to throw in your thoughts, everything is welcomed and much appreciated.

Charley Diesing · 03/03/2011, 09:26 AM

anyone?

Toddrtrex · 03/03/2011, 10:16 AM

First thing that comes to my mind is; what type of "carpet"? An S. Haddoni or a Gig -- that will play a big roll in the type of lights.

dacaptain78 · 03/03/2011, 10:40 AM

If you can hang your lights 6-12 inches above the water line then I would say you are not limited to any type of lighting. Just be sure that it is powerful enough to keep the tank inhabitants happy and thriving. For a 40 breeder I would probably steer clear of metal halides due to heat issues. A 36 inch six bulb t-5 light would work nicely, such as those made by TEK or ATI (with ATI being the beyyer of the two). LED's will work as well.

I do not know much about the Par 38 bulbs, but with the right configuration I am sure they would work. I have a 50 gallon breeder and just recently upgraded my 6 bulb Tek t-5 fixture with two AI Sol Blue LED fixtures. I am very happy with the SOL Blues. In your case I would recommend the SOL White for your color preferances.

Charley Diesing · 03/03/2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

First thing that comes to my mind is; what type of "carpet"? An S. Haddoni or a Gig -- that will play a big roll in the type of lights.

Hmm Haddoni is easier right? I'll probably go with the easier one, if I do one at all. But really I havent done much research at all on these, it'll be after a while, and the tank is well established.

Charley Diesing · 03/03/2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacaptain78

If you can hang your lights 6-12 inches above the water line then I would say you are not limited to any type of lighting. Just be sure that it is powerful enough to keep the tank inhabitants happy and thriving. For a 40 breeder I would probably steer clear of metal halides due to heat issues. A 36 inch six bulb t-5 light would work nicely, such as those made by TEK or ATI (with ATI being the beyyer of the two). LED's will work as well.

I do not know much about the Par 38 bulbs, but with the right configuration I am sure they would work. I have a 50 gallon breeder and just recently upgraded my 6 bulb Tek t-5 fixture with two AI Sol Blue LED fixtures. I am very happy with the SOL Blues. In your case I would recommend the SOL White for your color preferances.

Yeah but my concern with the T5's is I wont be able to really see from the top unless it was quite a bit higher, I plan on having a lower stand so I can see from the top down into the tank.

dacaptain78 · 03/03/2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charley Diesing

Yeah but my concern with the T5's is I wont be able to really see from the top unless it was quite a bit higher, I plan on having a lower stand so I can see from the top down into the tank.

Sorry I think I misunderstood your first post. At what height above the tank do you envision hanging your lights?

Charley Diesing · 03/03/2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacaptain78

Sorry I think I misunderstood your first post. At what height above the tank do you envision hanging your lights?

Well since its going to be going up in the middle I either need two lights on either side of the rock structure or one light over the whole thing but with it being the whole thing I'm going to need it at least 12 inches above.

Toddrtrex · 03/03/2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charley Diesing

Hmm Haddoni is easier right? I'll probably go with the easier one, if I do one at all. But really I havent done much research at all on these, it'll be after a while, and the tank is well established.

Easier then a Gig, but wouldn't call them easy by any means.

If you do go that route, realize that an S. Haddoni can/will get 24 inches across, and will be the main feature of that tank. They can/will eat other fish, clowns included, but they sure are great looking.

Charley Diesing · 03/03/2011, 11:51 AM

Gotcha and who knows Todd we'll see what happens it was more of just an idea, you know? Sounded cool.

Toddrtrex · 03/03/2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charley Diesing

Gotcha and who knows Todd we'll see what happens it was more of just an idea, you know? Sounded cool.

I think it would be great -- I just set up my 40 breeder and it killed me not to set it up for an S. Haddoni (( at least not for now

)).

Charley Diesing · 03/03/2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

I think it would be great -- I just set up my 40 breeder and it killed me not to set it up for an S. Haddoni (( at least not for now

)).

haha yeah. I don't really know what I wanna do with my 40 gallon breeder, I just want it to be unique, something different.

03/03/2011, 12:37 AM	#1
Charley Diesing Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,162	Lights on 40 Gallon breeder! :D Mkay so first off. My knowledge in lights=very small, of all knowledge I have which isn't much, so its even less then you probably think it is. :P As plans for what I want to keep the tank will be mainly devoted to invertebrates and fish. I'm not a big clam lover but I would like a carpet anemone. Keep in mind the 40 gallon breeder is actually 47 gallons. Dimensions 36Lx18Dx16H. Also would like to keep some mix of corals. But mainly beginner corals like Xenia, GSP, and some Zoas So this is my problem. I hope you have an answer. Also I really like more of a white shimmer. Not very fond of the blue lights, seems fake to me. Takes away the natural beauty in my opinion I'm planning on setting up a 40 gallon breeder soon. And I need lights. however my design is rather unique. The rocks will be coming out of the middle of the aquarium. where the overflow will flow down the rocks. Very much like Konolua's unique and beautiful setup. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hlight=volcano 1st option is T5 lights that have enough power to penetrate farther then they normally would have to because of the pile of rocks sticking out of the tank. This might and probably isn't an option, but I thought I'd leave it there. 2nd option is Metal Halide. Problem with this is I don't know if I would need a chiller for one, and they are rather expensive unless I was going to try and craigslist it I would say its a little bit out of my budget especially if I needed two. 3rd option is LED lights. I really don't know much about these at all. I've heard a lot about, 7 LED PAR38 Bulb's but whats your thoughts on this? Here is a link to the site. http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...lbs/Categories Also keep in mind that my aquarium is 16 inches high. And they will need to be raised probably about 6-12 inches out of the aquarium. Feel free to throw in your thoughts, everything is welcomed and much appreciated. Last edited by Charley Diesing; 03/03/2011 at 12:46 AM.

03/03/2011, 10:16 AM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	First thing that comes to my mind is; what type of "carpet"? An S. Haddoni or a Gig -- that will play a big roll in the type of lights. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

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03/03/2011, 09:26 AM	#2
Charley Diesing Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,162	anyone?

03/03/2011, 10:40 AM	#4
dacaptain78 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 80	If you can hang your lights 6-12 inches above the water line then I would say you are not limited to any type of lighting. Just be sure that it is powerful enough to keep the tank inhabitants happy and thriving. For a 40 breeder I would probably steer clear of metal halides due to heat issues. A 36 inch six bulb t-5 light would work nicely, such as those made by TEK or ATI (with ATI being the beyyer of the two). LED's will work as well. I do not know much about the Par 38 bulbs, but with the right configuration I am sure they would work. I have a 50 gallon breeder and just recently upgraded my 6 bulb Tek t-5 fixture with two AI Sol Blue LED fixtures. I am very happy with the SOL Blues. In your case I would recommend the SOL White for your color preferances.

03/03/2011, 11:51 AM	#10
Charley Diesing Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,162	Gotcha and who knows Todd we'll see what happens it was more of just an idea, you know? Sounded cool.