Out of the loop 40g breeder lighting setup

S

sleeperls

Sold my standard 125 and downgraded to a 12 gallon nano. I just Cant do it anymore saw the 40g at petco and said to mysself what a cool tank. Only thing i dont like is no center sapport.

For lights would a 24inch setup work or go ahead and get a 36inch set up. Ive got vho stuff from my 125 but was looking to do this tank right with mh. That was my biggest gripe with my old tanks. Everything else was fine but needed more light.

I was lookint at the all in one mh/pc/or t5 setups but since ive already got the vho I might use it.

What do you guys think.

Basic tank, some corals no sps. But like softies and lps maybe even a clam.
 
Go with 2 150w Metal Halides. That will give you plenty of lighting and you wont run into any void spots. I did 2 150w MH on my old 40 and it was perfect.

Are you going to have a canopy or an open top?
 
I was going to build a canopy. I've got two cats so Its a must. Plus i prefer the looks of a canopy. I'm not to sure how im going todo it tho. Since the tank is so shallow i dont want a huuge 12inch canopy on something with walls only what 16 or 18 inches i forget. I wish i coul get it under a 8-10 inch canopy and still look good.
 
For such a shallow tank you could also try t-5s, just make sure they have individual reflectors. On my old 40 breeder setup I had a single DE 150 in a pfo pendant, and a pair of VHO's for actinic suppl. With the right reflector, you should be able to get away with a single MH.

I can put a pic of the light spread up here if you're interested.
 
I would also second using T5 lighting. You can get 36 inch bulbs or just stagger several 24 inchers. MH makes it hard to keep smaller tanks cool.
 
Does anyone use vho anymore?

Ive got anuf things to make a 4 bulb 36 inch set up.

I would hope that would do decent with the shallow tank. How much penitration do the t5's get. Ive been out of it for so long just using what ive had over the years.

Btw guys i should have no problem keeping the tank cool. I live in iowa. Ive got snow on the ground and its below freezing. But the house stays a very constant temprature.
 
I'm running a single 250W Reeflux 10K and 2 39w T5's for supplementation on mine. No water yet... but that's what I got ;)
 
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