40g breeder...how many watts of T5?

[Element]

I swear this hobby is going to make my brain explode from information overload lol. As I had mentioned before in one of my threads, I think I just need to find a stepping off point to have a reference point...getting there, slowly but surely lol

I was considering a 30g aquarium but after a stop at a local LFS today to look at their tanks (AGA's) I was shown a 40g breeder tank which offered 18" depth instead of the 30g's 16". Doesn't sound like much but looked like a good bit of difference.

Anyway, I've pretty much decided against going with MH's and will be using the T5's. However, I'm not sure how many watts I will need. The tank dims were 36"W X 18"D X 16"H and I'm not positive I'll be doing any SPS coral...although, that may change in the future but I'm positive I won't be keeping any clams (they don't interest me in the slightest). I do plan on trying some LPS though.

Would I be better off with 4 X 39W's or 6 X 39's? I really do hate asking questions taht may have been answered before but I'm seriously going borderline nuts trying to absorb everything and feel like I just need to break my own "rules" and ask away. Besides, this seems like a very friendly forum that doesn't mind repetitive questions too much...but I promise I won't ever ask if I can keep a yellow tang in a 20g tank

I'm looking at the Sunlight Supply Tek lights...these appear to be pretty popular on the different forums. Is there another brand I should consider as well?

 

[Element]

oh yeah...I was thinking about a pair of 12,000K Aquablue's by ATI ( http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Flu ... ent_by_ATI ) and a pair of Geisemann Pure Actinic 03's ( http://www.reefgeek.com/product/39W_Pur ... _Giesemann ).

sound like an OK combo or is there a better combo I should consider? I'm still not sure I understand what "actinic" is though other than it's centered around the blue wavelengths. I have heard some people recommend 14,000K's as an all-around bulb too. Ok, I'm going to continue pulling my hair out now...well, if I had any...due to starting to go bald way too early (before I was 25) I've gone to buzzing my hair. Makes getting up and getting ready in the morning much easier though! lol

 

[The Kapenta Kid]

4x39 over 40 gal is approx 4 wpg which I imagine is adequate for most inverts, other than the most light-demanding. I'm no expert but that that is what I have gathered from reading. On the other hand, if the light fixture you envisage has the possibility of adding another 2 tubes then I'd go for that, even if you don't use 'em at first, you never know when you may change your mind.

 

[Element]

hmmm...excellent idea, i had not considered that

Btw...I meant to say I am POSITIVE I will not be keeping SPS lol. Late night posting

would I be better off using a 6500K with that Pure Actinic 03, especially in the younger stages of a tank's life to help with coral growth? Sorry if some of these are ignorant questions, sometimes I think i nkow the answer but I like to have some confirmation too, just to be sure lol

 

[Trogdor]

6500k will promote algae growth so i wouldn't recommend it

 

[reefman23]

4x39 watts is more than enough for anything you would ever want to keep. I would suggest that. The only reason you would want to go with 6x39 watts is if you ONLY wanted to keep SPS and clams... but even 4x39 watts is sufficient for that... a 40g breeder is pretty shallow.

As far as lamps, 2 Aquablue specials actually isnt very pleasing to the eye... very white/yellowish. A suggestion would be 2 ATI Blue Plus, UVL Super Actinic, ATI AB Special. Lots of output and a nice blue tint. Plus you can arrange the lamps so that one Blue Plus and the super actinic come on first, then The other Blue plus and the AB Special come on next. This will give you a dawn/dusk effect.

HTH,

Jesse

 

[Davenandez]

agreed
the watts per gallon rule doesnt apply anymore - its all about your tank's shape
throw in a pro color in there as well, you'll be surprised how much of a difference one can make