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Lighting Advice please

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Kylie, Feb 20, 2010.

  1. Feb 20, 2010 #1
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Most of you probably know that I am working on a 40g breeder upgrade from a 20g long. One question I have is what type of lighting should I use/install? I'll have a canopy so anything I decide to get will be retrofit. Originally I was planning on 2x150watt MH 15k with 2x39watt T5 actinics. I already ordered the MH retrofit but turns out it is actually the guts of a fixture that someone sold as a retrofit kit. And unfortunatly, I have no wiring experience/knowledge so I have no idea what to do with what I have.
    Other people have suggested going all T5's. Gered suggested a 6x39 watt setup. I just don't know enough about reefing/lighting to be able to make this decision on my own.
    This may be the wrong way of looking at it but I get confused on how a 234 watt setup (with the all T5 idea) can be just as good as a 378watt setup (with the mh idea)...
    I want the best reef I can possible, with no limits on what corals or clams I can have. Also, the more color, the better. Which of these two setups would provide that? Do you have any other suggestions? Obviously I am a huge newb so any information or advice you have will be wonderful!!
     
  2. Feb 20, 2010 #2
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    i'm sure there is someone in your area that can come and wire it all up for ya if need be. if you already bought the halides stick with them. i love how my halides look. t5's can be cheaper to run and maintain but anymore halides are getting cheap as well. 2 150's will be quite a bit of light on that tank and with a canopy you better plan on fans as well.
     
  3. Feb 20, 2010 #3
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Yep, I knew I'd need some fans mounted on the back to prevent overheating of the lights and tank. The MH kit that I bought apparently came from a current USA fixture. Are their MH's normally pretty trustworthy and work well?
     
  4. Feb 20, 2010 #4
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

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    As far as limitations on the 6x39 setup I have yet to see any in my tank. I have clams on the sand bed, SPS throughout the tank which is showing great growth, along with zoas and LPS that are all doing great. I know you compared wattage in one of your statements and you can not just look at wattage numbers because technically I am only running 30 watts over my frag tank and I have SPS, LPS and zoas are growing great in there. I have nothing against metal halides but I hate the heat factor with them and on a tank like a 40 breeder they are not necessary in my opinion. But would 2 150w MH work? Yes
     
  5. Feb 20, 2010 #5
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Another note on T5's is if you go that route make sure it has good individual reflectors(like the one I linked in your other thread) With better reflectors the light is used more efficiently and thats why T5's are starting to be used quite a bit more these days.
     
  6. Feb 20, 2010 #6
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Thanks for the advice you guys! Anybody else care to pitch in? The more the merrier!!
     
  7. Feb 20, 2010 #7
    FishBrain New London

    FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

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    I would use the halides. Don't you work at petland just ask andy to wire it up for you.
    -Bill
     
  8. Feb 20, 2010 #8
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    I haven't seen Andy at work in a long time. I think we must have completely opposite schedules or something. Thanks for mentioning that though. I'll have to ask him or Adam and see if they can help me out /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif
     
  9. Feb 20, 2010 #9
    FishBrain New London

    FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

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    I'm sure one of them will help you out. If you don't get it done let me know and i'll do it for you.
    -Bill
     
  10. Feb 20, 2010 #10
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    Thanks!
     
  11. Feb 20, 2010 #11
    xmasia

    xmasia Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    a benefit to t-5 is with one bulb change you can have a different color. the disadvantage is you wont have the shimmer.
     
  12. Feb 20, 2010 #12
    Kylie

    Kylie Inactive User

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    I like the shimmer of MH a lot. And also, thats why I wanted a little T5 supplement. That way, if I have at least two T5 bulbs I can hopefully manipulate my color a little bit. Also, for most MH don't they have to warm up in the morning and slowly turn on but at night they snap off? Someone suggested that the T5's would be nice to help ease the decrease in light at night.
     
  13. Feb 20, 2010 #13
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    they warm up for about 30 seconds. and yeah shut right off. i like having my VHO actinics it is a nice transition
     

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