Lighting changeover help

shoprat001 · 03/16/2008, 05:49 PM

I currently have a 72" long 120 G reef tank with 2 Ice Cap 660 ballasts driving 6 VHO bulbs that are 60" long. I'm getting ready to upgrade to a 180 G tank. The tank is 72" long also. My question is should I

A) Just transfer my old T-12 lights to the new canopy

B) Use my Ice Cap ballasts and set up a T-5 lighting setup. I'd rather not do this if the results are not worth the price. I figure including bulbs it will be about 700 if I do it myself.

C) Buy one of the all in one MH plus CF lights available from Odysea and change out the ballast on that. This option saves me the price of the canopy (260 or so) but severely limits future lighting upgrades such as dimming ballasts.

D) something I haven't thought of

While price isn't the most important factor, it is none the less a factor and would like too maximize my dollars worth.

Norm

03/16/2008, 05:49 PM	#1
shoprat001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 117	Lighting changeover help I currently have a 72" long 120 G reef tank with 2 Ice Cap 660 ballasts driving 6 VHO bulbs that are 60" long. I'm getting ready to upgrade to a 180 G tank. The tank is 72" long also. My question is should I A) Just transfer my old T-12 lights to the new canopy B) Use my Ice Cap ballasts and set up a T-5 lighting setup. I'd rather not do this if the results are not worth the price. I figure including bulbs it will be about 700 if I do it myself. C) Buy one of the all in one MH plus CF lights available from Odysea and change out the ballast on that. This option saves me the price of the canopy (260 or so) but severely limits future lighting upgrades such as dimming ballasts. D) something I haven't thought of While price isn't the most important factor, it is none the less a factor and would like too maximize my dollars worth. Norm