Will this T-5 setup be o.k on a 40 breed

[04mach1]

It has ind. reflectors with 8 bulbs. I currently have a 30 cube with 150w hqi and im upgrading to a 40 breeder with overflow and closed loop .

[04mach1]

Oh yea, I plan to keep monticaps, zoos, frogspawn, and shrooms.

[The Grim Reefer]

You would be better off with a 4 lamp Tek retro but the cheap 8 lamp unit will work.

[04mach1]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
You would be better off with a 4 lamp Tek retro but the cheap 8 lamp unit will work.

Not sure if I would call it cheap.

[The Grim Reefer]

OK, Poorly designed.

[04mach1]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
OK, Poorly designed.

O.k, lol...But seriously whats the major drawback with the design?
I researched some and looked for ind. reflectors like this has.

[The Grim Reefer]

The reflectors is what gives the T5 lights the biggest advantage. Those are not parabolic reflectors. They are just stamped out to have slight wings at the top. The parabolic reflectors will just about double the light output. I don't know what those endcaps are but they obviously arent water resistant. Who knows what they used for ballasts. The lamps? Some people like them and some don't. I did PAR readings on Aquaz lamps which are just a buck or so less than the D&D lamps and they had like 10% less PAR output. With the exception of the GE daylights the cheaper lamps tend to have less output.

[04mach1]

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
The reflectors is what gives the T5 lights the biggest advantage. Those are not parabolic reflectors. They are just stamped out to have slight wings at the top. The parabolic reflectors will just about double the light output. I don't know what those endcaps are but they obviously arent water resistant. Who knows what they used for ballasts. The lamps? Some people like them and some don't. I did PAR readings on Aquaz lamps which are just a buck or so less than the D&D lamps and they had like 10% less PAR output. With the exception of the GE daylights the cheaper lamps tend to have less output.

I also have a 150hqi that I might be able to get to fit in the canopy along with the T-52 but then no room for moon lights.

[The Grim Reefer]

Be awfully cramped in there with a halide too. The heat from the halide wont do the T5's any favors either.

[FLIPbmw]

First off, what do you plan on keeping?

Secondly, give it a shot and let us know how it works out for you. If you read around, people say to stick a 4Tek light on a 75g and it will be ok, then if you check at 40 breeder posts, people mention to also put a Tek 4 lamp, but if possible get a tek 6.

The 40 breeder is only 16" with a width of 18".

If you plan out how much the unit would cost you to run over the years, you might save a bit.

From what people say, a T5 with a parabolic reflector will work 2x better than a plain reflector.
You could get by with 4 bulbs with good reflectors. Factor in energy bills, and bulb replacement.

If $Bulbs = $Reflector, then after the first initial change of the bulbs, you would be saving money on replacement parts after, and save energy.

Pros to a 4set w/good reflec:
Save $ replacing 4 less bulbs
Save $ running 4 less bulbs
Save 'space' but to each his own for putting a value to that

Cons:
Limited bulb mix and matching, ie; 4bulbs vs 8 bulbs
Might leave the top edge of the tank darker due to spacing of the bulbs (if all the bulbs are towards the center, there will be dark areas near the top but not affecting corals since it is out of the way).

I have T5 Normal outputs on my 40 breeder. 2x10,000k, 2xActinic. Progress at the moment, even tho it is cycling, I have seen quick growth of my GSP frags. And I have a flat reflelctor.

Personally it depends on what you want to stick inside. IMO The more bulbs the better, but you will be paying for it in the long run and 8 is plenty, probobly even too much.

[04mach1]

Originally posted by FLIPbmw
First off, what do you plan on keeping?

Secondly, give it a shot and let us know how it works out for you. If you read around, people say to stick a 4Tek light on a 75g and it will be ok, then if you check at 40 breeder posts, people mention to also put a Tek 4 lamp, but if possible get a tek 6.

The 40 breeder is only 16" with a width of 18".

If you plan out how much the unit would cost you to run over the years, you might save a bit.

From what people say, a T5 with a parabolic reflector will work 2x better than a plain reflector.
You could get by with 4 bulbs with good reflectors. Factor in energy bills, and bulb replacement.

If $Bulbs = $Reflector, then after the first initial change of the bulbs, you would be saving money on replacement parts after, and save energy.

Pros to a 4set w/good reflec:
Save $ replacing 4 less bulbs
Save $ running 4 less bulbs
Save 'space' but to each his own for putting a value to that

Cons:
Limited bulb mix and matching, ie; 4bulbs vs 8 bulbs
Might leave the top edge of the tank darker due to spacing of the bulbs (if all the bulbs are towards the center, there will be dark areas near the top but not affecting corals since it is out of the way).

I have T5 Normal outputs on my 40 breeder. 2x10,000k, 2xActinic. Progress at the moment, even tho it is cycling, I have seen quick growth of my GSP frags. And I have a flat reflelctor.

Personally it depends on what you want to stick inside. IMO The more bulbs the better, but you will be paying for it in the long run and 8 is plenty, probobly even too much.

I plan on zoos,shrooms,monticaps, and mabe frogspawn.
Do have any pics of your setup?