Yet Another 40 Breeder Lighting Question

bhsgk · 07/03/2012, 06:24 PM

So i have exhausted myself trying to research as much as i can regarding my new 40 breeder lighting setup. I have narrowed my search down to these three fixtures:

6x24w ATI Sunpower

4x39w ATI Sunpower

6x39w Tek Elite

My plan for the tank at the moment is for a mixed reef with primarily lps and sps. At the moment i have no sps as i just moved and i am going to let the tank settle in. I know eventually down the road that the tank will be primarily sps as i progress in this hobby, but i will be taking it slow. My rocks are around 3" from the edges all around and i wont be putting any sps that far out anyways.

I like the six bulb fixture for more bulb choices and i would prefer to hang the light as low as possible as it will be in my living room.

With the four bulb 36" fixture would i get enough coverage from front to back without having to hang it that much higher than the six bulb fixture?

Is it worth it to pay the extra $100 or so for the 6x24w Sunpower over the 6x39w Tek Elite?

Thanks

OwenReefin · 07/03/2012, 06:49 PM

I have a 40 breeder, having 4x39w. It is great and covers the whole tank. BUT!!! I wish I would have went 6 because of the higher end sps I know am moving into, just like you probably will

Go 6x39w if you can.

bhsgk · 07/04/2012, 05:05 AM

Nobody else has a 40 breeder with a sunpower or tek elite fixture?

rps3 · 07/04/2012, 05:22 AM

i have a 6x39 powermodule, get the ati. par ratings are always higher then other fixtures due to the reflectors.

cmantis · 07/04/2012, 05:58 AM

I am going LED on mine.

TimeConsumer · 07/04/2012, 03:11 PM

Not a 40 breeder, but I had a 4 bulb fixture on my 75g, which also has an 18" width. I ended up replacing it with a 6 bulb for increased coverage and wish I went with the 6 bulb from the start. If you can fit it in the budget get the 6 bulb Sunpower, otherwise the Tek is nice, I love mine, and it's not the elite version either.

OCREEFLOVER · 07/04/2012, 09:10 PM

I have the sunpower 4 bulb on my 40 breeder and love it. The guys at reef geek told me the ATI 4 bulb out performs the Tek 6 elite. If you don't plan in upgrading soon the 4 bulb will be plenty of power, even for sps dominate. All my sps are very happy and growing fast.

07/03/2012, 06:24 PM	#1
bhsgk awesome at life Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plant City Posts: 650	Yet Another 40 Breeder Lighting Question So i have exhausted myself trying to research as much as i can regarding my new 40 breeder lighting setup. I have narrowed my search down to these three fixtures: 6x24w ATI Sunpower 4x39w ATI Sunpower 6x39w Tek Elite My plan for the tank at the moment is for a mixed reef with primarily lps and sps. At the moment i have no sps as i just moved and i am going to let the tank settle in. I know eventually down the road that the tank will be primarily sps as i progress in this hobby, but i will be taking it slow. My rocks are around 3" from the edges all around and i wont be putting any sps that far out anyways. I like the six bulb fixture for more bulb choices and i would prefer to hang the light as low as possible as it will be in my living room. With the four bulb 36" fixture would i get enough coverage from front to back without having to hang it that much higher than the six bulb fixture? Is it worth it to pay the extra $100 or so for the 6x24w Sunpower over the 6x39w Tek Elite? Thanks

07/04/2012, 03:11 PM	#6
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	Not a 40 breeder, but I had a 4 bulb fixture on my 75g, which also has an 18" width. I ended up replacing it with a 6 bulb for increased coverage and wish I went with the 6 bulb from the start. If you can fit it in the budget get the 6 bulb Sunpower, otherwise the Tek is nice, I love mine, and it's not the elite version either. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

07/03/2012, 06:49 PM	#2
OwenReefin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 28	I have a 40 breeder, having 4x39w. It is great and covers the whole tank. BUT!!! I wish I would have went 6 because of the higher end sps I know am moving into, just like you probably will Go 6x39w if you can.

07/04/2012, 05:05 AM	#3
bhsgk awesome at life Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plant City Posts: 650	Nobody else has a 40 breeder with a sunpower or tek elite fixture?

07/04/2012, 05:22 AM	#4
rps3 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 676	i have a 6x39 powermodule, get the ati. par ratings are always higher then other fixtures due to the reflectors.

07/04/2012, 05:58 AM	#5
cmantis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NYC / Philly Posts: 227	I am going LED on mine.

07/04/2012, 09:10 PM	#7
OCREEFLOVER Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Yuba City, Ca Posts: 189	I have the sunpower 4 bulb on my 40 breeder and love it. The guys at reef geek told me the ATI 4 bulb out performs the Tek 6 elite. If you don't plan in upgrading soon the 4 bulb will be plenty of power, even for sps dominate. All my sps are very happy and growing fast.