40g Lighting questions

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by Mawnkey, Sep 25, 2011.

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  1. Mawnkey

    Mawnkey Ritteri Anemone

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    I have decided to go with a 40G breeder tank and would like to ask about lighting. I was thinking about either a 2 or 4 bulb T5 fixture. what do you guys think? Also does anyone have any stand ideas for DIY?
     
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  3. sticksmith23

    sticksmith23 Giant Squid

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    It depends on what you are wanting to keep in your tank. Is it going to be fish only with live rock or a reef. If it is going to be reef, what kind of corals do you plan on keeping (softies, LPS, SPS).

    Here is what I am looking at for my 40 breeder.

    36" MoonVue LED Retrofit - CoralVue

    Coralvue 36" 4 Lamp T5 Retrofit Kit (Bulbs Included)

    Odyssea T5 Aquarium Lighting

    Edit:

    I am also looking into a DIY LED setup from boostLED.

    Typhon LED Controller Kit

    PAR30 Reef Lamp Kit - PAR30 Reef Lamp Kit with 3 Royal Blue, 1 Cool White, 1 Neutral White, 60 Degree
     
  4. Mawnkey

    Mawnkey Ritteri Anemone

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    I will be doing a reef setup with all kinds if coral as well as q clam. Maybe

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  5. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    2 bulbs would be plenty for a FO/FOWLR tank. I would go with 4 bulbs for a reef tank to bring out all the colors possible.
     
  6. Mawnkey

    Mawnkey Ritteri Anemone

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    So 4 bulbs would be enough for a clam? I will be doing SPS LPS, well everything really
     
  7. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    More than plenty, you will most likely want to raise your fixture to 24" to 30" above your sand.

    Get 2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 ATI Purple Plus and 1 ATI Aquablue Special bulbs for the fixture when it is time to replace the bulbs. I suggest getting the Coralvue T5HO retrofit. You will want to replace the OEM bulbs after about 6 months. You can replace the ATI after 12 months.
     
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  9. Mawnkey

    Mawnkey Ritteri Anemone

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    Awsome, what is the best way to raise the fixture?
     
  10. armison89

    armison89 Purple Spiny Lobster

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    that fixture you will screw to the top of a canopy. make the canopy 10" tall and you will be all set.
     
  11. Mawnkey

    Mawnkey Ritteri Anemone

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    I'm not gong to be using a canopy =\

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  12. coylee_17

    coylee_17 Fire Goby

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    You could suspend the light fixture from the ceiling or you could make brackets or a shelf on the wall and mount the lights under that.