40 gallon Reef Journal

[sweetpickles7]

The more the better, it also depends on what type of corals your looking at.

[supra1997]

Looking good. I'm wishing on a bigger aquarium myself!
Keep at it, patience is key...

[jumpfreak26]

for corals, we plan on having SPS and LPS, and maybe, maybe an anemone in a few years. I really dont want to upgrade the lighting in the future so if i could find one that will last and to my needs. So would a 150w be too little, or 250w too much?

[sweetpickles7]

250w, just my opinion.

[Cichlid-Man]

I'm doing 2x250w over my 33gal haha, go big or go home right? Its really to give me a tan at the same time.

Generally a normal MH fixture/DE bulb will light about a 2ft (length) area, or so i've read. Personally i'd look at doing 2, but i have seen some quite nice 40+ gal tanks with a center light and rock display and shadows on the side.

How deep is the tank? That might factor into weather or not you go 150 or 250. You'd be able to keep SPS with either, just look at how much of the tank you want to light and if the light will be enough to penetrate to the depth desired. Just some things to think about.

Also factor in the circuts of your house, hehe.

You could probably put together a pretty kickass 1x150w + T5 combo, could work out very nice. 1x150w + 2x39w T5 or something similar. Of course on the other hand 250w + T5 = more light and (generally)you won't have to be as picky with coral placement. In terms of these SPS have to be on the top rock, etc etc.

Personally i'd shoot for the 250w route. If you don't mind retrofitting you can get a 250w fixture for like $10 more then the 150. Not including bulbs of course. Thats what i did. My whole lighting setup cost me like $260 (not including bulbs). For 2x250w.

[jumpfreak26]

I was planning on going with the 250 w MH and T5 or VHO on sides

[Cichlid-Man]

Originally Posted by jumpfreak26

I was planning on going with the 250 w MH and T5 or VHO on sides

Sounds good. You'll probably be able to keep anything you want with that.

[jumpfreak26]

K, thats what i was hoping for, im looking on ebay for a fixture, and if not then a canopy with retro fit

I am most likely going to go eith this one or something similar to this 36" 442W Metal Halide Aquarium Reef Light w/ Free Ship - eBay (item 140212396622 end time Mar-09-08 17:59:04 PDT)

let me know what you think, idk about the brand, but im trying to save some green......

[Lorna]

hmmm I bought the 24" light for my 29g and it has worked great. I believe at one time they had problems with ballasts and had issues but I have heard they have all worked them out and these are the new models. They are not as well made as say a current usa light is but for the money they aren't that bad, you will probably spend more on replacement bulbs than the whole light costs........

[jumpfreak26]

Yeah wehn you add it up, it probbaly will. thank god for ebay