T5 lighting for 40g breeder

GrimReefer82 · 12/23/2020, 07:08 PM

I put 6 bulbs with a retrofit kit with miro 4 reflectors in my canopy and I truly think it may be too much light. The more I read the more I think I should have went with four. Any recommendations? I do plan to keep clans, softies and SOME sps

Imaexpat2 · 12/23/2020, 09:16 PM

Are they wired where you can just run the fixture without a couple of bulbs? If so thats an option you can try. I have a lot of experience with T5HO and they are great, the clam and SPS will love the 6 bulb fixture but that might be a bit intense for the softies.

GrimReefer82 · 12/24/2020, 04:21 AM

Its 3 separate ballasts, so 2 bulbs on each fixture.

cody6766 · 12/24/2020, 09:30 AM

6 should be fine. I grew everything under a 6 bulb Tek fixture over a 40 breeder. You can cut down to 4 if you want, but you lose some of the ability to blend colors to make the lighting look right to your eyes.

12/23/2020, 07:08 PM	#1
GrimReefer82 Roll Tide!!! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 341	T5 lighting for 40g breeder I put 6 bulbs with a retrofit kit with miro 4 reflectors in my canopy and I truly think it may be too much light. The more I read the more I think I should have went with four. Any recommendations? I do plan to keep clans, softies and SOME sps __________________ ~Chris~ Current Tank Info: 40 breeder mixed reef

12/24/2020, 04:21 AM	#3
GrimReefer82 Roll Tide!!! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 341	Its 3 separate ballasts, so 2 bulbs on each fixture. __________________ ~Chris~ Current Tank Info: 40 breeder mixed reef

12/24/2020, 09:30 AM	#4
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	6 should be fine. I grew everything under a 6 bulb Tek fixture over a 40 breeder. You can cut down to 4 if you want, but you lose some of the ability to blend colors to make the lighting look right to your eyes. __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

12/23/2020, 09:16 PM	#2
Imaexpat2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chagos Arch. Posts: 474	Are they wired where you can just run the fixture without a couple of bulbs? If so thats an option you can try. I have a lot of experience with T5HO and they are great, the clam and SPS will love the 6 bulb fixture but that might be a bit intense for the softies.