does anyone run just 1 ic660 ballast?

t-rock · 06/17/2006, 08:54 PM

im asking this because im running a 4 lamp/2 ballast set-up using triad ballasts and im wanting to upgrade to the icecap 660.im currently firing 2 lamps per ballast on timers for the dawn-dusk effect but i could no longer do that with only 1 icecap 660. i imagine there are tons of people running the icecap 660 and 4 lamps and i want to know what they do or dont do regarding the whole dawn-dusk thing.thanks

kgross · 06/17/2006, 09:30 PM

If you end up with just the 4 bulbs on one icecap ballast, without adding other bulbs/ballasts to the system you can not do any type of a dawn dusk low light setup, you will be either all on or all off. And to be honest there are a lot of people that have setups just like that.

The only thing you could do is get a dimmer for the icecap ballast, which is pretty expensive.

Kim

Putawaywet · 06/18/2006, 01:21 AM

I snuck in a pair of 13W PC's. 1st to come on, last to go off.

Brett

t-rock · 06/18/2006, 01:16 PM

The only thing you could do is get a dimmer for the icecap ballast, which is pretty expensive.
i didnt know that icecap even offered a dimmer for a t5 set-up. i thought that just VHO lighting was dimmable.if icecap does offer a dimmer for t5 and its not too expensive then that could be one solution.another idea i had was to buy one more reflector,set of endcaps,and another lamp and squeeze it in under my canopy and use one of my existing ballasts and put the whole setup on timers.first ill look into the t5 dimmer though.thanks

kgross · 06/18/2006, 02:24 PM

I don't know what bulbs combinations the dimmers work with, I just know they have or used to have a dimmer for the 660 ballast.

Kim

escape2theocean · 06/18/2006, 07:41 PM

I run 4 actinic bulbs with my 660, first on , last off, MH in between.

06/17/2006, 08:54 PM	#1
t-rock Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 51	does anyone run just 1 ic660 ballast? im asking this because im running a 4 lamp/2 ballast set-up using triad ballasts and im wanting to upgrade to the icecap 660.im currently firing 2 lamps per ballast on timers for the dawn-dusk effect but i could no longer do that with only 1 icecap 660. i imagine there are tons of people running the icecap 660 and 4 lamps and i want to know what they do or dont do regarding the whole dawn-dusk thing.thanks

06/17/2006, 09:30 PM	#2
kgross Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Nampa, ID Posts: 5,870	If you end up with just the 4 bulbs on one icecap ballast, without adding other bulbs/ballasts to the system you can not do any type of a dawn dusk low light setup, you will be either all on or all off. And to be honest there are a lot of people that have setups just like that. The only thing you could do is get a dimmer for the icecap ballast, which is pretty expensive. Kim __________________ Proud Member of the Idaho Marine Aquarium Society America will only be the Land of the Free as long as it is the Home of the Brave. Current Tank Info: AGA 180gallon tank, VHO/MH lighting, DSB, calcium reactor, Also a 7 Gallon Nano softy tank, and a 32 gallon cube

06/18/2006, 01:21 AM	#3
Putawaywet 20 and over club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Beach, CA. Posts: 2,720	I snuck in a pair of 13W PC's. 1st to come on, last to go off. Brett __________________ She ain't broke, but can we fix her more better? Current Tank Info: A big box of water with some stuff in it.

06/18/2006, 02:24 PM	#5
kgross Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Nampa, ID Posts: 5,870	I don't know what bulbs combinations the dimmers work with, I just know they have or used to have a dimmer for the 660 ballast. Kim __________________ Proud Member of the Idaho Marine Aquarium Society America will only be the Land of the Free as long as it is the Home of the Brave. Current Tank Info: AGA 180gallon tank, VHO/MH lighting, DSB, calcium reactor, Also a 7 Gallon Nano softy tank, and a 32 gallon cube

06/18/2006, 01:16 PM	#4
t-rock Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 51	The only thing you could do is get a dimmer for the icecap ballast, which is pretty expensive. i didnt know that icecap even offered a dimmer for a t5 set-up. i thought that just VHO lighting was dimmable.if icecap does offer a dimmer for t5 and its not too expensive then that could be one solution.another idea i had was to buy one more reflector,set of endcaps,and another lamp and squeeze it in under my canopy and use one of my existing ballasts and put the whole setup on timers.first ill look into the t5 dimmer though.thanks

06/18/2006, 07:41 PM	#6
escape2theocean Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 91	I run 4 actinic bulbs with my 660, first on , last off, MH in between.