Which Fixture Would You Recommend for a 40 Gallon Breeder?

[Puff]

Originally Posted by Samw

Did you consider this as one of your options? You can go dual 150 or dual 250. Comes with LED moonlights.

http://www.current-usa.com/sunpod.html

This costs less than the 2 Aquamedics and possibly the IceCap pendant ballast combo as well.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...t~CU01163.html

i have a 20" 150W sunpod on my 24G aquapod. great lights, but they run nearly 600$ for the 36" one!!

if i went with the ice cap the 250W pendant would be 150$ and the ballast would be 130$. so 280$ for ONE 250W setup (plus bulb)

one 250W aquamedic is 299.99, or i could get two 150W aquamedics for 200$ each.

would 2 150W cover the tank properly?

[Myka]

Probably...depends on what kind of corals you want.

[Myka]

Wouldn't it cost less to buy a single pendant like a Lumenarc? They are about $160, plus your choice of ballast and bulb. If you don't want to keep SPS, then you likely don't need the big guns, but the single Lumenarc reflector should do a good job covering that tank.

If you're stuck on getting two, then go for PFO mini HQI pendants. they are $120 each, plus ballast (you can get a dual ballast), plus bulbs.

I think the Lumenarc would be your cheapest route. Think of all the T5 bulbs you'll have to buy!

[Puff]

Originally Posted by Myka

Wouldn't it cost less to buy a single pendant like a Lumenarc? They are about $160, plus your choice of ballast and bulb. If you don't want to keep SPS, then you likely don't need the big guns, but the single Lumenarc reflector should do a good job covering that tank.

If you're stuck on getting two, then go for PFO mini HQI pendants. they are $120 each, plus ballast (you can get a dual ballast), plus bulbs.

I think the Lumenarc would be your cheapest route. Think of all the T5 bulbs you'll have to buy!

i MIGHT have an SPS or two, but it would most likely just be monti caps or digitata (which i have under my 150W sunpod). other than that i dont need too much light.

where can i find these Lumenarc reflectors and other stuff that you listed?

i might look at a 50 gallon breeder now (just measured out a 40G breeder and it seems a bit shallower than i thought, the 50 is only 2 inches taller though, so im not sure if my lighting choice would have to be altered too much.

thanks a lot for all this help everyone, im very appreciative of it!

[Drock169]

Dave, I've got a used 36" inch fixture, 1 250W HQI with the actinics and moonlighting. If you need one cheap let me know.

[Puff]

Originally Posted by Drock169

Dave, I've got a used 36" inch fixture, 1 250W HQI with the actinics and moonlighting. If you need one cheap let me know.

what fixture is it?

im deciding whether to go with 2 150W for better coverage, or just 1 250.

thanks for the offer man.

havent seen you in JL lately, you still working there?

[Myka]

If you go with a single MH bulb, be sure to go with a mogul for better coverage. I decided to sell my 65g because of the waste. If you're going to buy 2 lights you may as well have a 48" tank. I didn't want to upgrade ALL my equipment, so I decided to go with a cube instead with a single bulb.

Everything I listed you can get at J&L. Talk to Mike, Jack, or Jeff about lighting there...they will all keep you well taken care of.

[Samw]

Originally Posted by Puff

i have a 20" 150W sunpod on my 24G aquapod. great lights, but they run nearly 600$ for the 36" one!!

if i went with the ice cap the 250W pendant would be 150$ and the ballast would be 130$. so 280$ for ONE 250W setup (plus bulb)

one 250W aquamedic is 299.99, or i could get two 150W aquamedics for 200$ each.

would 2 150W cover the tank properly?

Since you asked, I think dual 150's would be better than 1 250 on a 36" tank.

The dual 150 Sunpod is about $460.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Category_Code=

You can get pendants cheaper. But for my tank, I prefer a hood because I don't need to hang them. I just put it right on the top of the tank and I haven't had heat issues. I don't have a Sunpod so I can't comment on its performance. I like that the ballasts on Sunpod 150's are enclosed rather than remote. I have remote ballasts now but wished they were enclosed to save space and wiring.