40 breeder reef lighting...

I am looking to develop a reef tank with mainly softies and mushrooms. I am new to the hobby.

I am looking for the best all around light I could use.

36.2" x 18.3" x 17"

Does anyone else have a 40 breeder and share what they use for light?

 

A 4 bulb 24" t5 would light a 40b for a softy tank wonderfully for a very good price. And you could add LPS with no worries under that light. (probably have no trouble even with a few sps in the middle, simpler stuff like montis and birdsnest)

 

Chinese led ... Then u can grow anything you want. About 180+ shipping.

 

Either t-5 or an led unit would work for you,dimmable led would give you the ability to adjust the color spectrum of the light to your liking without replacing bulbs,it would also be more energy efficient and produce less heat.

 

whats your budget for it, But a $175 reefbreeders base system would be great.

 

I'm sure I'll get flamed for it, but I currently run a Odyssea 36" over my 36 bow. The bulbs it comes with are a bit crap, but for jsut over 100 bucks, I'm pleasantly surprised. It will be more than capable of handling a softy setup in a 40B. Especially if you change the bulbs to better quality ones.

 

a good 4 bulb t-5 fixture would light that tank up. You would be able to grow sps, easily, if everything else were in order and you had a quality fixture/bulbs. With this being said, by the time you buy a good fixture with bulbs, you could have purchased an LED setup. Go for LED and then you can pretty much have the color combo you want. I'm going LED at the first of the year on my 120.

 

Budget?

 

I run a $200 odyssea 250w metal halide and 4 bulb T5 fixture. Ive had mine for about a year and half and it works like a charm. Definitely the most bang for your buck.. Look on eBay. If you want LEDs they have moderately priced fixtures I've heard good things about as well.

 

By the way mine is a 40 as well. Forgot to mention!