Best Flourecent lighting for 75 gal reef

[standrd250ridr]

I am looking to upgrade my 75 gal reef lighting from two VHO's and don't want the heat or cost of MH's. What is the best option for soft corals but possibly SPS's in the future?

 

[R.W.]

i would go with a 6x54w tek fixture by sunlight supply. It will give you lots of light to work with.

 

[WinnipegDragon]

Yup, that would be my recommendation too. Or you can go with TEK or IceCap retrofits if you already have a canopy.

 

[crvz]

+2 on the tek fixture if that's a better solution than a retrofit, but I run icecap ballasts to overdrive T5 bulbs on my tank. It's worked rather well for me.

 

[standrd250ridr]

Thanks for the replys. I went ahead and got a 6x54W T5 retro kit off ebay. It is an off brand but does include a 5 year warrenty on the ballast.

 

[WinnipegDragon]

Oh dear...

 

[crvz]

make sure the hardware is sound, a lot of that stuff is not UL listed. Also, individual parabolic reflectors are key to T5 success, so hopefully that was included. Bulb brands will make a difference, so keep that in mind (maybe when you need to change them out).

 

[reefergeorge]

I think 6 is overkill for softies, and if you get individual reflectors it will cover your whole top. 4 will do just fine on a 75.