How many lights are too many?>>>>>

[follow3]

Hey Guys,

I need your opinion. I have a 40 gal. breeder.
I have 4- twin bulb T-5 lights for it.

I am about to order new high end bulbs for it, but before I do I need to know if you all think 8 bulbs are too many for that tank?
Would 6 bulbs be better.

I am keeping Zoas, Palys and Montis.

That tank measures 36" left to right
16" deep
18" front to back.

What do you all think?

Where is a good place to order bulbs right now?

Thanks

 

[Pazazz]

You dont need that much light for 16 inches deep!!! I would run 4 bulbs.

1 10k
2 pure atinic
1 atinic

 

[3mm3]

What kind of montiporas do you have

 

[Ike]

If you don't have individual refelctors it's probably not too much. However, you could probably get a setup with 4 bulbs and individual reflectors that would be nearly as bright and would save you a bunch of money on yearly bulb and electricity costs.

 

[fishes2889]

I recently took off one of my T5 bulb off of the 4 bulb fixture to my 33g. My zoa's and all corals look a little happier with less light.

 

[follow3]

What kind of montiporas do you have

I have all types...
Caps
Confusa
Danea
Encrusting
Digi

 

[fishes2889]

Hey Steve- do you have individual relflectors?

 

[follow3]

The lights have 2 bulbs and 1 reflector each. I have 4 of these units.
I was thinking of only using 3 of them with the following bulb configuration:

ATI- Blue plus
ATI- Aquablue special
URI- Aquasun 10K
URI- Super Actinic
ATI- Aquablue special
ATI- Blue plus

I plan on burning the lights 9 or 10 hours per day.

How does that setup sound?

Steve

 

[fishes2889]

To be honest a 4 bulb combo would be the best option. 6 Bulbs would be kinda overkill. IMO

 

[Pazazz]

6 bulbs is a waist with T5's for 16 inches deep

 

[JGoslee]

I would go with the 4 bulb setup.

 

[follow3]

What combo of bulbs would you all use?

Where can I find those individual reflectors?

Steve

 

[fishes2889]

Individual relectors can be found at hellolights.com & i think diyreef.com

I am no expert on bulb combos but i would just play around with bulb combos and see what you like! :)