40B SPS frag tank lighting

[CoralWealth]

So I decided to go with a 40 gallon breeder on my SPS frag tank as I got it for free from a friend.

I plan on making the frag rack around 6 inches from the bottom, so 11 inches to the top of the tank.

I am wondering what lighting I should use? I am really only looking to keep the middle 24-30 inches full of SPS from side to side and keep the whole 18 inches front to back with corals.

I am leaning towards a 6 bulb 24 inches T5 fixture but I also started to think about a 250W Metal Halide (have never used Metal Halides before). My DT is 80w 8 bulb fixture. If I do the 6 bulb T5 fixture, I will be doing 4 blue plus bulbs and 2 coral plus bulbs.

Greatly appreciate everyone's thoughts.

Ps: Frag tank will be in the unfinished side of my basement and connected to my DT so I am not worried about heat as it is always cool down there and I could always add a computer fan.

 

[dutch27]

I would think either of those options would work just fine. The halide may create some heat issues in the summer.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

For a frag tank I would go with T5's

 

[29bonsaireef]

I would personally go with the T5 for a frag tank. If you were looking to grow out corals, I would go with Halide. The 24" 6 bulb from ATI is a great T5 fixture and you should be able to pull some nice colors with that bulb combo.

 

[JBKReef]

I would say go with what your DT uses just scaled back... so if DT is a 8 bulb fixture maybe go for a 4 bulb fixture and run the same bulb combo?

I would want to see the same coloration in my DT that I see in my frag tank. Also when acclimating from Frag tank to DT it would make the process much smoother.

 

[CoralWealth]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

The frag tank will be connected to the DT and I will have most of it being grow out pieces, which I was thinking halide possibly.

The frag tank will also be in my basement in the unfinished section so I am not worried about heat.