Lighting for the new tank - advise?

[MandM]

I'm looking into lighting for my new All-Glass 120g. Right now, I have a couple of Coralife 2x65w PC fixtures. I had planned on my 48" 6x65w PC fixture going in the hood but it just won't fit.

So, I'm thinking T5 if I have to start from scratch. Would I be better to buy a retrofit kit from Aqualife or an online source?

I'm still enjoying LPS, some open brains and corals that don't need insane light. Not into the colored sticks at this point No plans for an anemone or clams.

Ice Cap ballasts?

How many 54w T5's can I jam in the hood? I was thinking 6-8. I like the deeper blue of the actinic bulbs, I'm running 4 actinic and 2 10,000K in the PC fixture and the corals were looking good under that in the 55g. With this tank being deeper, I'm thinking I need more watts.

We ran 2 new circuits for the new tank, in case I wanted to get silly with lighting but I don't like the heat that I get from the PC, let alone MH.

Any advice would be welcome.

 

[dots]

T5 retrofit kit sounds like your best option based on your criteria and current livestock considerations, while still allowing for the support of anenome, clam and SPS in the future.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

I agree with dots, go T5 retro. BTW try and get a reflector per bulb, much more efficient than a single reflector for multiple bulbs. The reflectors I got clip to the bulbs and work great.

 

[MandM]

Thanks. Any ideas for the best source and brands?

 

[German]

I hear that the sunlight supply T5 tek retrofit is a good one.
Hellolights.com has a sell on them and they come with their T5 lights for free. The only thing about the tubes that they only come in 10K and Atintic. I got my order in two days ago, and I can't wait to put them in.

 

[TrevDog]

Sheila -

If you are interested, I have a 4-bulb Sunlight Supply Tek T-5 retro that I wired but never installed. German bulbs (2 actinic, two aquablue). Would fit in a 48 inch canopy. Asking $150.

Trevor