T5 purchase question

corbett_n · 03/23/2008, 06:23 PM

Has anyone bought the t5 retro for dr. fosters and smith. I know the tek is better but I can't afford an icecap ballasts. It says it has a workhouse ballasts, is that a decent ballast? Does anybody know any other sites that have a good deal on 24" retro fit t5. The dr. fosters one has bulbs inlcuded

SuperAWE · 03/23/2008, 06:27 PM

Check out www.reefgeek.com

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kits/

They have both IceCap, and the Universal AccuStart or Vossloh-Schwabe ballast options.

corbett_n · 03/23/2008, 06:35 PM

How about the dr. fosters version, can anyone tell if it is even decent

Here is the link:http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15491

corbett_n · 03/23/2008, 06:36 PM

Can I get a ballast at Lowes that could push as much power as a icecap ballast and be a lot cheaper?

george81 · 03/23/2008, 07:01 PM

nope.

Akronviper · 03/24/2008, 06:52 AM

I have the TEK retro with the Workhorse ballasts. They work fine for me. I was going to upgrade to the Ice Cap ballasts when I had the money but these are work just fine for now.

Arati · 03/24/2008, 07:08 AM

Isnt the whole point of T5's they they use less energy and last long. I like the tek stuff but would pass on the Icecaps, may aswell get halides.

corbett_n · 03/24/2008, 11:19 AM

what bulb combinations are good for 4 t5's? I have 2 t5's right now but I am getting 2 more soon. I have a aquablue and a blue plus right now.

03/23/2008, 06:23 PM	#1
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	T5 purchase question Has anyone bought the t5 retro for dr. fosters and smith. I know the tek is better but I can't afford an icecap ballasts. It says it has a workhouse ballasts, is that a decent ballast? Does anybody know any other sites that have a good deal on 24" retro fit t5. The dr. fosters one has bulbs inlcuded

03/24/2008, 06:52 AM	#6
Akronviper Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Akron, Oh Posts: 398	I have the TEK retro with the Workhorse ballasts. They work fine for me. I was going to upgrade to the Ice Cap ballasts when I had the money but these are work just fine for now. __________________ Barry Never argue with and idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal AGA RR w/4x54 watt T-5 Retro, Icecap 660, Euro-Reef RS80, AC Jr, 29 Gal Basment sump/ 20 gal ref

03/24/2008, 07:08 AM	#7
Arati Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI,NY Posts: 722	Isnt the whole point of T5's they they use less energy and last long. I like the tek stuff but would pass on the Icecaps, may aswell get halides. __________________ I wasn't planning on keeping the turtle until it could pull me around under water. ~RV7AFlyer Current Tank Info: 150 ish gallons of Reef

03/23/2008, 06:27 PM	#2
SuperAWE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 245	Check out www.reefgeek.com http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kits/ They have both IceCap, and the Universal AccuStart or Vossloh-Schwabe ballast options.

03/23/2008, 06:35 PM	#3
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	How about the dr. fosters version, can anyone tell if it is even decent Here is the link:http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=15491

03/23/2008, 06:36 PM	#4
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	Can I get a ballast at Lowes that could push as much power as a icecap ballast and be a lot cheaper?

03/23/2008, 07:01 PM	#5
george81 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: canada Posts: 254	nope.

03/24/2008, 11:19 AM	#8
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	what bulb combinations are good for 4 t5's? I have 2 t5's right now but I am getting 2 more soon. I have a aquablue and a blue plus right now.