i'm pretty sure you'll like the light.

Yepp i know i will then i can get my SPS corals and clams...I will be making a visit to you for some corals : ) I got plans to get some bulbs within the next few months so soon enough. Maybe middle of Feb when i get some money settling down after the holiday.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Tim's Reef Tank New website look working on perfecting it.

That's a great system dude. You'll enjoy it very much. When your ready, i got the geissman bulbs for that fixture and they look great. They are the same ones i got running in the store.

www.artistikaquariums.com

Great looking lights, I want to do the t-5's for my new tank when i get it running.

what size will your next tank be?

It is a 6' 125 gallon. Any recommendations on lights for a mixed reef?

are you looking for a fixture, or retro kit?

6' fixtures get pricey AFAIK.
I'd run an IC660 w/ 3 x 80w 5' bulbs + a normal cheapo ballast with 2 more bulbs for actinic supplementation. (54 or 80w) that should be more than enough light for a mixed.

hey marco im contimplating or trying to convince my dad to turn our old 75 into a frag tank...and im thinking bout trying t5's it would be my first time always used halides before. What would be a good idea to use for maximum coral growth and color without spending a super amount of money...

Marco,
Thanks for all the help so far.
I was not decided yet to go with a fixture or not. I was looking at retros but felt very overwhelmed?

Building the hood would not be a big deal for me, its the rest where i gut a little shaky.
The IC660 is the ballast then i would also have to get caps correct? What about reflectors?

If i wanted to plan for the future to do more sps what configuration would you recommend?

Thanks again for all the help.

anytime guys!

Bill,

wiring up the IC660 is easy - i've done it about 4 times now, and it's pretty straight forward, everything is color-coded.
Yes, Ballast (IC660), wiring harness, endcaps & reflectors .. of course bulbs.

I've found Jeovani @ Artistic Aquariums carries virtually all of the T-5 bulbs one would need - Giesemann ... don't go with the crappy coralife T-5 bulbs.

I would say that above named combo would do you fine for a heavy SPS tank.

----

Derek,

I will be setting up a frag tank in the near future as well, and it will be lit with T-5's as well.
I personally like the par output of a day light bulb, such as a 6,000K - on a a frag tank i'm sure you don't necessarily don't need actinics, you could save on a set of bulbs there. I would go with a combo of AquaBlue, AquaBlue Special, and mid day bulbs - that should give you quiet the par output, and good growth.

There has been alot of hype about the KZ bulbs lately .. KorallenZucht - german bulbs ... they are supposed to give great coloration and outstanding growth - at a premium $ of course.

Anybody who hasn't seen a T5 setup is more than welcome to stop by & check mine out, Artistic Aquariums is using ALL T-5's in their store ... coral, fish & inverts.