hello everybody

[jimpierce7]

Forgive me for jumping in here and taxing your knowledge with out a proper introduction.
This lighting thing has got me baffled!! Well, maybe just on over load.
I have a 40g breeder tank. 36 x 18 x 18
In it I have various polyps, a sun coral, a purple and a brown mushroom, frog spawn, torch coral, bubble coral, leather coral, a couple of brains and a blue maxima clam. 5 fish.
I originaly had a 30g hex tank and the 150w 14k MH pendant I got was great. Sadly the bulb is recessed in the fixture so it doesn't quite cover the whole tank.
I've read until I'm blue in the face and I still don't seem any closer to deciding on a new light. Either replace add to what I have.
So I am looking for experience here. lol People who have been doing this longer then me. 1 year so its pretty easy.
Should I go with 6 or 8 tube T-5, half white half blue actinic and replace the MH fixture. Or would a four tube be enough?
Would a 150w MH 10k with two 32w actinic bulbs be a good replacement or should I add it to what I have now, making over 300w for my tank. (there goes the electric bill!)
Or what?
I stumbled accross this sight searching lighting requirements for my clam, figuring it needs the most and it seems some of you know your stuff about lighting.
Thanks folks!!

[charlie]

Considering that you have the maxima in there, I would try something like this:
36 inch Current USA Outer Orbit 1x150W 10K HQI-MH w/ 2x96W Dual Actinic & 4 Lunar Lights

A MH will only usually cover a 2'x2' area, so basically you would just replacing what you have. You may be able to try something like this:
36 inch Current USA 6x39W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 3-10k/3-460nm Actinics But you may have to move the clam up in the tank.
Hope this helps.

[jimpierce7]

the second link is one I am thinking about. I am also looking at maybe two of these

3Ft/4Bulbs with LED

the more I read about the clams the more I think maybe another 150w MH is the way to go.

[jimpierce7]

even though the two four tube fixtures are cheaper I am down to going with a 6 tube T5 fixture. 4 white two blue. Or stick with the 3 and 3?

36 inch Current USA 6x39W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 3-10k/3-460nm Actinics



Foster and Smith has the same 150w MH fixture I already have. Maybe I could just get another and call it good?

Metal Halide Reef Aquarium Lighting: Current Outer Orbit HQI Metal Halide Pendant Light Fixture

[jimpierce7]

oh boy. I just want to say thanks for letting me talk to myself here. lol I think I figured it out and I am going to get the MH light.

would the 14k or 10k be better for my blue maxima?

[charlie]

oh boy. I just want to say thanks for letting me talk to myself here. lol I think I figured it out and I am going to get the MH light.

would the 14k or 10k be better for my blue maxima?

Sorry, got a little busy last night and missed this. Don't worry, some of the best conversations I have are with myself

I think the clam will be happy with your choice. If it was me, I would go with the 14K, but I have a long history on the bluer end of the spectrum.

[jimpierce7]

my current light is 14k and I really like the way things look.

[charlie]

I believe you just answered your own question then!!!!!