Best MH (400w) system for a 40 gallon breeder?

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blackwolfXKAV

Homo sapiens
Apr 20, 2006
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New England Abroad.
Basically, as the title states. i'm looking for the most reliable and long lasting metal halide system (i use the term system as in everything except the bulb because i'm not tech savvy) for a 40 gallon breeder, looking at around 400 watts. (can't find anything higher)

Thanks,
Black wolf
 

fsn77

AC Moderators
Staff member
Feb 22, 2006
3,076
2
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SC
400w MHs on a 40g breeder is a lot of light... Most people would stick with 250w MHs. I've read posts on other sites about people growing clams and SPS in a 40g breeder with 150w or 175w MH. Either way, since a single MH only covers 2', if you want complete end to end coverage for the 40g breeder, you'd need 2 MH.

Are you looking for a retrofit to put in a canopy, a fixture, or a pendant to hang?
 

blackwolfXKAV

Homo sapiens
Apr 20, 2006
828
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New England Abroad.
I'd prefer to have a hanging pendant, as it frees up so many issues like heat and space. Having never shopped for halides, I don't know what to look for.

when you say that 400w is a lot of light, do you mean it's non-conventional, or would actually be detrimental to the tank?
 

archer772

AC Members
Apr 20, 2006
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Have you thought about T-5's, a 40 breeder I thought was only like 15 inches tall and you could keep anything you would want with T-5's with less heat and lower cost I believe
 

Grins

Girl Reefer...we do exist
May 1, 2007
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Charlotte, NC
Have you thought about T-5's, a 40 breeder I thought was only like 15 inches tall and you could keep anything you would want with T-5's with less heat and lower cost I believe

Although the monthly costs will be lower with the T5s I've yet to find a good T5 set-up that is all that much less than a comprable MH.
 

Squawkbert

Senior padder
Oct 3, 2006
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ST.L area
www.aquaticplantcentral.com
For a single pendant, you're going to need the "right" reflector or be willing to hang it higher above the tank than most would. Having some extra wattage would be beneficial in this case, though 400W is probably severe overkill (unless you were planning on hanging it 4' above the tank!).

Since breeders have a pretty square footprint, a single pendant is probably a very good way to go.

There are complete kits available from several vendors and MH bulbs come is a variety of K ratings (and prices).

Find a kit or two that look good and ask around about them at APC or a salty forum.
 

crharvel

Just another...
May 18, 2007
44
0
0
Have you thought about T-5's, a 40 breeder I thought was only like 15 inches tall and you could keep anything you would want with T-5's with less heat and lower cost I believe
From a noobs perspective:

I was thinking the same thing. I just picked up the 40B at Petco on the $1 per gallon sale and am looking into my lighting options. Knowing that the breeder is only 18" high and that T5's and Compact Florescents can sit on the glass lid; why wouldn't (on a watt for watt basis) the T5's or the CF be a cheaper (cost to buy and electricity wise), cooler, more flexible (bulb selection wise) than the Metal Halides?

Somebody please help me grasp what this 36" 156 watt T5 for $190 is lacking....

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12772&N=2004+113175

that this (150 Watt Pendant @ $294)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3827&N=2004+113352

or this (250 watt Pendant @ 354) has?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12780&N=2004+113352

And to make it worse, you could also consider a 196 watt CF for even cheaper (36" @ $156)...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13637&N=2004+2032+113345


HELP! :wall:
 
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