Lighting question

[tcoco]

I currently have a canopy I custom built myself I have installed in the canopy 5 floresent lights 2 50/50 atinic, 2 6000K and 1 10000k ultra daylight I believe all bulbs are about 25watts each and they are 24" long. I wouold love to upgrade to compact floresents but I don't know which of these two retro to get. One is 35" Compact Retrofit, 2 - 96 watt bulbs, the other is 35" Compact Retrofit, 4 - 36watt bulbs And I get to pick my bulbs. MY question is I have a standard 55 and would like to do a mixed reef corals and fish LR you know a nice mix. Which one of these lights whould be a better choice and which bulbs. And I know some corals need M/H but that would probibly be later.
Thanks in advance

 

[broomer5]

If you are going PC's, I'd take a close look at going with (4) 65 watt retrofit. Two actinic, two 8800K daylight bulbs.
This will give you 260 watts over a 55 - which I consider a better choice.
I ran this combination over my 55 for over two years, and over my 75 since January. You can see what I keep on my site if you're interested.
If you are planning to stay in the hobby for awhile, and get into more light demanding creatures, I would strongly suggest you look into metal halide and supplement actinics with your existing fixtures.

 

[tcoco]

thanks boomer I talked to they company that will do the retro fit kit and they said they could do just what you said 4 65watts would be perfect. Is 220$ a good price for the kit electronic ballasts and polished aluminum reflector and bulbs or is there a better price that someone may know of.

 

[broomer5]

Where I've shopped before online - that retro would be $278.00
There may be other places people are aware of - so you may want to hold off for awhile until they reply.
I think $220.00 is fair price for that retro - whose bulbs do they offer, and does it have separate controls for dawn/dusk.
Just curious.

 

[tcoco]

they are Catalina bulbs and they are acutually 55 watts but they are able to build it for me with 10k and atinic bulbs and they are able to do 1 or 2 switches if thats what you mean dawn to dusk.