Need some lighting advice

Anyways, new tank means new lights. I am currently using a 6 bulb Current T5 set up and it is great.... But I would like more out of my lighting so here is my concerns.

Has to be a retro kit, as I don't wanna ditch my canopy I just spend a ton of time making. I was comparing sunlight supply Tek lights vs ATI, and the common view is the ATI just kicks everything else's rump in terms of light output.

So onto the real meat of the problem, I am looking to making a custom retro kit as an ATI one does not exist that I could find. Heres my thoughts;

Order ATI reflectors, Icecap endcaps and standoffs, ATI ballasts and make my own cooling set up for it. Would this work? Am I going to see performance like a ATI fixture is known for? Or should I just go with some run of the mill kit? (Sunlight supply, Miro-4, etc.)

All opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

bump! heh

 

Bump for Atticus, I am lighting impaired.

 

Haha thanks Corailline!

 

A sunlight supply Retrofit kit is not run of the mill by any means. The reflectors on there kits are fantastic and I would reccomend a complete retrofit kit from them. safe the extra money for buying ati bulbs and you will have a tremendous fixture.

 

Thanks for the input! The sunlight supply kit is actually more expensive than a complete ATI kit put together by reefgeek, but price aside, I am just looking at the quality of the reflectors and your opinion is greatly valued thanks!

 

Get the Sunlight retro fit and buy a computer casing fan to blow across the label ends of the bulbs. Aim the fan so that it blows just below the bulbs.

 

Yah that was the plan on cooling, but I wasn't sure on positioning. You prefer the sunlight over the ati reflectors?

 

I have only seen the ATI fixtures. ive never seen a retrofit one in person. So I would be lying if I tried to tell you one is better than the other. I have however had experience with the retrofit teks. One of my lps uses those exclusively on his tanks as well. The reflectors are great. and im speaking just on the retrofit kits. The tek fixtures, I could take em or leave em. The ATI fixture hands down is superior to that. but again I couldnt tell ya if an ATI retro is better than tek retro, I can just tell ya the tek retro is purty damn good.

I would say call tech support at ReefGeek 866-295-9230 and ask them what they think would be a better choice. I think they would be able to tell ya best, plus return defect/ratio for each: warranty etc.

 

ATI doesn't sell their reflectors. Only sunlight and a few others do. Get the LET retro fit. It will fit over your tank better. Price is the same as the Sunlight and it will be just as effective.