lighting options- what would u do?

[reefermike1]

ok so right now i have 4 48" t5 bulbs overdriven with an icecap 660, and slr reflectors. my tank is mainly sps and im getting pretty good color and growth with the lights that i have. however i think it could be better, plus i want to do a dawn dusk lighting schedule and thats not possible with one 660 ballast(as far as i know). so i want 2 more bulbs and another ballast- and id kinda like to try a procolor bulb...

so the options are..

1) get a second icecap 660, reflectors, endcaps, and run 3 bulbs on each or 2 on one 4 on the other (most upgradeable option, also most expensive)

2) get a icecap 430 and run the 2 actinics on it(probably wont do this one cuz the 660 is only a few bucks more)

3) get a tek retro for the 2 actinics, then play with the bulbs on the icecap till i find the right color

4) same as above but with a current retro.(lfs carries them)

5)any other ideas?

so like the title reads, what would u do?

[hng]

4 overdriven bulbs is a whole lotta light. If it were me, I'd get a regular T5HO ballast and drive a couple of actinics for the dawn/dusk.

[reefermike1]

thanks for the reply, and i was kinda leaning towards that too being that its about half the price of the icecap retro kit, and i dont think i really NEED that much more light its more for cosmetics than anything.. either way i like to try and get opinions before i start spending money lol.

anyone hear anything about the current usa t5ho retrofits?

[Wiskey]

What size tank? Is this your 125?

Whiskey

[reefermike1]

yea

[Loverotties]

Love that size tank!

[reefermike1]

thanks loverotties, i like it too. its a 125tall though, 60x18x24 incase u thought it was a standard 72x18x18. i was thinking about using 60" bulbs but i keep some low light corals on the ends so the 48" bulbs have been working out pretty well for me.

[reefermike1]

so noone uses the current usa retrokits?