Which one

[natebedwell06]

Narrowed it down to 2 lights for my 40 breeder sps tank, which should I go with, by the way I will be hanging it.
24x6 t5 or 39x4 t5 it will be all sps except my 2 hammer colonies and my torch colony at the bottom, and some acans in the sand

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by natebedwell06

Narrowed it down to 2 lights for my 40 breeder sps tank, which should I go with, by the way I will be hanging it.
24x6 t5 or 39x4 t5 it will be all sps except my 2 hammer colonies and my torch colony at the bottom, and some acans in the sand

24x6 would be way better if the tank is 36 inches long. more par, and you can put the lps on the sides, where as with the 4 bulb it "MAY" not be enough light period for the sps. i say MAY because i have a 4 bulb LED powermodule on my 65"x30"x24" reef and my sps are on the bottom and do fine. so it's going to depend on what light fixture you use, unless you go with ati, then i think you would be perfectly fine with the 4 bulb

[swk]

A good rule I heard was 1 bulb for 3" of tank width.

18" wide tank should use a 6 bulb fixture, for example

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by swk

A good rule I heard was 1 bulb for 3" of tank width.

18" wide tank should use a 6 bulb fixture, for example

what if the fixture puts out double the par and doubles the spread?

[swk]

Originally Posted by Zacktosterone

what if the fixture puts out double the par and doubles the spread?

Huh?
Double the par and spread of what?

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by swk

Huh?
Double the par and spread of what?

Light. An ATI light fixture dishes out WAY more light and spread than an aquatic life t5 fixture. I have a 4 bulb on my 30" wide tank. I have acrapora THRIVING at the front of the glass on the bottom.

[swk]

That was referring to ati fixtures.

I have the 6 bulb on my standard 75

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by swk

That was referring to ati fixtures.

I have the 6 bulb on my standard 75

ATI is also a business. Their main goal is to sell, not save you money. That may come second. Out of experience and I can give proof. The 4 bulb would be better

[swk]

Ati didn't give out that rule of thumb. A well respected member did in the everlasting t5 thread.

I think most sps keepers would disagree with you on this one.

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by swk

Ati didn't give out that rule of thumb. A well respected member did in the everlasting t5 thread.

I think most sps keepers would disagree with you on this one.

Want some pictures?

[swk]

Not necessary. I see you've earned you handle lol. Check this out:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2447772

[Zacktosterone]

Originally Posted by swk

Not necessary. I see you've earned you handle lol. Check this out:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2447772

All I'm saying is the guy could do it with that size of tankwith a 4 bulb