Need Some Lighting advice

Within the last year I upgraded my mini 10 gallon reef into a 40 gallon breeder. The 10 gallon used to host a Mushroom frag and a pair of clowns. With the new 40 gallon i wanted to host a few more easy-moderate corals. Currently i have a Nova extreme T5 with a pair of 39watt bulbs and was looking to add another ballast. Maybe another one of the same ballast? But either way, currently im getting about 2 watts per gallon. I was wondering, for easy to moderate care corals, what should i be shooting for in the watts per gallon range. I havnt yet deceided what exact corals, but nothing to extravagant.

On a side note. My current ballast didnt come with risers, so its sits just over an inch of the waterline. I thinks its too low and maybe raing it a couple inches will be better? Any thoughts?

 

As long as you're upgrading, I would not limit yourself so much. Do the lighting thing right. I would go for something that would take care of clams and SPS. You are looking at only 17 inches to the bottom of the tank not including sand depth and space between water and the top of the tank. So about 14 inches. You could go T5s easily. Nova Extreme Pro or Teks would be my choice. I would aim for about 5W per gallon. Here are a few things to consider.

Tek 4x54W
Tek 6x39W

I would almost want to do the 6x39 to give you more choices in bulb colors to mix and match. And it is wider. So that is my vote as first choice.

 

Let me add, I know watts per gallon can be a useless term, but for my desire of easy-medium care corals with a 20" depth tank and a wide rang of flow areas, I think with the corals correct depth placement it can give me a decent goal.

I was thinking Mushrooms, polpys, and some leathers. Any recommendations is greatly appreciated.

 

I was thinking about the Extreme pros myself and the more bulbs color is some great advice.
Thanks Phar

 

i would just get another 39 t5 pair that should allow you to keep a good variety of corals.

 

You are right there. It's about lumens and PAR. 20" will still let you do T5s. I am with you on your choice of corals. My favorites are the LPS, softies and the clams. SPS really doesn't do much for me. I actually have quite a few different LPS/softies growing well under PCs right now.....at 4W/gal. Something I would never recommend to anyone.