Lighting for 200

[BonesCJ]

I'm going to be getting a used 200 gallon (7*2*2) and while it comes with MH's and VHO's I have always prefered t5's and plan to swap out the lights. My existing system is a 90 Oceanic with a 4*54 light and I have been happy with the results seeing steady growth and good colors. For the new 200 I am planning on getting 2 of the Icecap 660 retrofit kits with 4*39's so it will 4 bulbs deep by 6 feet across. Seeing that the Icecap ballast overdrives the bulbs, each will have an individual reflector and the tank itself will be about 1 inch shallower I believe I will actually see a substantial increase in light output. Does this sound good to everybody? advice, suggestions and wild ideas welcome

 

[BonesCJ]

here are the links for the IceCap and another one I am considering, just getting 6 coralvue 2 bulb fixtures instead of 2 4 bulb icecap fixtures. More bulbs but less out of each bulb, prices are almost identical

Icecap
http://www.aquacave.com/36-4-lamp-c...cecap-1849.html

CoralVue
http://www.aquacave.com/36-two-lamp...alvue-1145.html

 

[Reefaddict79]

the coralvue sure makes it look like it would be a clean install

 

[BonesCJ]

Agreed, I decided to go with 6 coralvue fixtures, 3 3footers and 3 4footers. That way I will have full coverage across the tank and front to back, that will give me 558 watts of light which will allow me to grow anything I want.

 

[bkvreef]

I have a 220 that is nearly identical dimensions.
I agree with you I love my t-5's
I have 6 x 80 watt retro overdriven by Icecap 660.
I bought mine at reefgeek.com
Here's a page with their icecap retros.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/IceCap/SLR_Retrofit_Kits/

 

[monotreme_man]

grimreaper (de facto god of T5s) recommends the 6ft ATI constellation.
this is what i'll be getting, i think.

just one opinion.

 

[BonesCJ]

nicely enough, we all seem to agree that t5's do indeed rock! :-D