please help! which bulbs and ballast for t5's?

[suliaman007]

I need light for my 58 gallon 36x18x21. Im going with t5 with this setup and would like to know what would be the best option. I am planning on keeping a mixed reef which includes clams. Iv herd a lot of good things about ice cap 660s. Iv spoke with the rep and he told me that a 4 bulb kit would be enough for my tank because ice cap drives the bulbs harder. Any input on ballast and bulbs would be much appreciated. I like the more “blue” look of my phoenix 14k and would like to have a similar color.

Thanks

 

[GPhiAce]

the KZs and Geissman bulbs are great. I am sure others will chime in, but it's opinion based. Good luck.

 

[Jay180reef]

I've been pretty happy with the Ice Cap 660, running 2 super actinics, and two blues.

 

[redfishsc]

Be sure to include the cost and trouble of rigging fans to cool the bulbs driven by a Icecap 660, they make them a good bit hotter and must be cooled.

Also, you will likely need to change the bulbs more often since they are being overdriven.

That being said, Icecap makes a fine product! Lots of happy people around have them.

 

[Fig70g]

I am looking into the exact same thing, for a 70g so just 3" more height. I heard a lot of good things with IceCap as well, but also about a little more heat as mentioned here. Will I still get good coverage and good growth from one of the other retro kits, I found this one on reefgeek that has everything IceCap except the ballast so its almost $100 cheaper: http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
Any thoughts?
BTW I would still be running a 175w MH in the center, is this overkill? Thanks!

 

[Jay180reef]

On the topic of Ice Caps overdriving the bulbs: Absolutely. The output of my T5s is outstanding, but they will need replacing after ~2/3 of a year. Around 8-9 months of 12hr/day on, I noticed the drop in bulb intensity.

I love showing this old picture of my lights during the build