90 gallon T5's

So I'm looking to upgrade my lighting on my 90 gallon to prepare it for corals. I have about $500 that I'm willin to spend on a new fixture. I would like to do T5's and be able to do sps or a clam at one point in the tank's life. What would you suggest?

 

Do you want a fixture or a retro? For a fixture I would recommend a Tek 4' 6 bulb unit, an Aquactinics Constellation or a Solarflare... IF you want to spend more look into an ATI or Sfilligoi.... 6 bulbs will crank on your tank, I bet SPS almost if not to the bottom. Retros aren't all that hard to make and can save you $$$

Happy lighting!!

 

I didn't really think about trying to retrofit. I'm not very electrical, but I'm willing to learn. Thanks for your input. I'll check those out right now.

 

I built my retros with 1"x4", spar varnish, and a staple gun... Then all I needed was some ballasts, reflectors, fans, and lamps. Well, technically power plugs as well but that is beside the point!!
I have pics of mine if you would like to see them

Happy reefing!

Oh, the Tek will be the most ecomonical and the Sfiligoi being the most spendy, the Solar Flare is overdriven and has moonlights.
Other than that do your homework!!

 

I found a Icecap 48in 6 Bulb T5HO Retro Kit on diyreef.com while searching for ATI T5's.
It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but it looks like a good system and I always enjoy putting things together myself. I could always add anything else that I would need to it anyways. What do you think about that system?

 

6 bulbs on an Icecap will REALLY crank on that tank, look for a Slyvania ballast or Workhorse, you don't need to overdrive.....
Unless of course you want to. Reefgeek should have DIY kits with out Icecap ballasts, just make sure you AREN'T getting the new Tek retro reflectors, they are 3.25" wide instead of the old 2" meaning less bulbs, ATI and Aquactinics now have the 2" wide reflectors, well and Icecap but Aquactinics made theirs for quite some time until as of late so you might as will go with the Aquactinics...

Happy googling!!

 

Whew!! You gave me a lot to look up! I'm not in a rush to find it, so I'll look in detail on all of this. I actually am getting pretty excited about it, though. Now on to some extensive googling!!

 

I'm running the tex 8x54w t5 and love it, they have a retro kit available as well if you want to build it into a canopy thats super easy to setup, all the harnesses are in place you just put it together and plug it all in

 

For a 90g, I would suggest that which I am going to get someday for mine....the 8x54W TEK with UVL bulbs.