Last light Question on a 40 breeder

Kplum · Sep 22, 2020

I am wanting to go Hybrid T5/led..
for a 40 breeder, do you go 24” or 36”? 4 or 6 bulbs? led’s first or T5 first? How long can you run that fixture without LED’s? My goal is an LPS/softies tank, and if I wanted to do SPS I will have a few spots in the middle of the tank for that.
I think I am over complicating it.. I have tendency to do that..

Thanks in advance!!

nashvillian · Sep 22, 2020

I ran one 360we at 35-40% on my 40b, and softies grew like mad. Had a torch that did very well too.

jda · Sep 22, 2020

6 bulb T5 might be all that you ever need on a 40b. 4 is probably fine with some Kessils. I would get 36 inch, but I had a fixture that was too short for the tank and I hated it and added to it... so I will never have a short light again.

For SPS, you will likely need a pair of Kessils - these are not high powered units.

I would let the T5s do the heavy lifting and use the kessils to fill in some blue (if you like that look) and some shimmer (if you like it - some hate the Kessil shimmer).

Kplum · Sep 22, 2020

Do you think my LPS would be ok with just the 4 bulb hybrid fixture for now?

BullyBee · Sep 22, 2020

I would do a kessil and t5 option if you can afford it. I’ve seen it in person and it was just glorious. That being said I’ve also seen dual led’s on a 40 breeder and it looked great too.

if this were me and I were doing SPS I would do the combo hands down. If it’s for LPS and softies, I might look at just using led’s. That’s just me though. Keep in mind I dont habe a reef tank

Saltyreef · Sep 22, 2020

Kplum said:
Do you think my LPS would be ok with just the 4 bulb hybrid fixture for now?

Yes

Saltyreef · Sep 22, 2020

i had great success with 2 hydra 26 non hd over my 40B. (Photo)
Now i have 2x 52s and one 26 lined up in a 36" spread over it now with the intensity turned way down and the lenses diffused.

Youd be surprised on how a little quality light goes a long way.

Kplum · Sep 22, 2020

Wow.. that’s a lot..

Saltyreef · Sep 22, 2020

Kplum said:
Wow.. that’s a lot..

More pucks @ less intensity is how i like to roll.
I hate shadowing.
You should see david saxbys lighting.....

David Saxby - AquaIllumination

www.aquaillumination.com

28 fixtures

Kplum · Sep 22, 2020

Makes sense, so you are not running T5’s at all..

Kplum · Sep 22, 2020

Well.. I also talked to my LFS.. He is ordering me AI primes.. always suggested I could incorporate the T5’s if I wasn’t happy.. So that’s we are doing..
The more I researched it, the more I wanted the 32’s, but let’s see what happens..

Thanks guys!!

Saltyreef · Sep 22, 2020

The t5s should suffice alone so the primes to supplement is just fine.

RobB'z Reef · Sep 22, 2020

Kplum said:
Do you think my LPS would be ok with just the 4 bulb hybrid fixture for now?

Without a doubt

Kplum · Sep 22, 2020

It’s 400 for primes, then 400 for hybrid with bulbs later.. so to me.. it’s which comes first the chicken or egg at this point

Saltyreef · Sep 22, 2020

Oh i see. U decided to do 2 primes alone. That might work you just might not like the light spread from 2 single pucks and may not get good par at the depth you want with the wide spread.

Even with the 2x 26s the spread wasnt the most ideal for a 36x18x18.

But yes. Would be fine until you buy your hybrid down the road.

BrandonS · Sep 22, 2020

Single 300w viparspectra with Len's removed.

Kplum · Sep 22, 2020

Saltyreef said:
Oh i see. U decided to do 2 primes alone. That might work you just might not like the light spread from 2 single pucks and may not get good par at the depth you want with the wide spread.

Even with the 2x 26s the spread wasnt the most ideal for a 36x18x18.

But yes. Would be fine until you buy your hybrid down the road.

I really wanted the 32’s my LFS is taking me this way, we will see.. always can upgrade and sell the primes on here.. I am a little disappointed we didn’t do the T5’s with a led in a couple of months.. but my LFS knows my tank..