Hellolights T5 Retro Fit

Waterbury Guy · 06/05/2007, 09:44 AM

Anyone have any opinions on this:
http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=1369

I've had their 220W PC set up and have been very happy with it. But looking at T5's now.

dragon_slayer · 06/05/2007, 10:12 AM

they work great for what they are but their ballast doesn't overdrive the bulbs like an IceCap will so if you're after that extra 'Punch' then get the IC setup.

kc

Waterbury Guy · 06/05/2007, 10:20 AM

Hate to sound like an idiot, but.....
What does overdrive do and why do I want it?

DarG · 06/05/2007, 10:26 AM

It drives the bulbs at higher than their nominal wattage. For the 54 watt 48" T5, the Ice Cap 430 or 660 E-ballasts will drive them at 85 watts. You dont need it unless you maybe need more light from less bulbs due to space limitations. Or maybe you don't want to change an existing set-up, or build a new canopy so you can get some extra light output by changing to the IC ballast. The bulbs will generate more heat and don't last quite as long when overdriven. Also, the experts suggest making sure that you use a fan to blow air on the end caps to help cooling if you are overdriving the bulbs.

dragon_slayer · 06/05/2007, 10:27 AM

an IC 660 will drive 4x 54w T5s at 80w each, a 430 will do the same with a 2x 54w setup, with the hellolights ballast you're only gonna get 54w out of the bulbs.

overdriving gives you allot more light/par then not overdriving, it does shorten bulb life but placing a fan to move air across the bulbs helps there and makes the difference marginal.

if you're keeping softies the regular setup would suffice, if you want higher light demanding specimens you get more light from the same number of bulbs with the IC overdriving them.

kc

Waterbury Guy · 06/05/2007, 11:49 AM

I am currently keeping softies with much success with my PC. Was hoping to move into some SPS with the 4 x 54W T5. As I understood it, with indicividual reflectors, it would be much more light than the PC, without overdriving.

davefan13 · 06/05/2007, 12:01 PM

i am looking into the same lighting setup for my tank. it would only be suplemental lighting though. would i need to overdrive them for that?

dragon_slayer · 06/05/2007, 12:07 PM

it's just personal choice, if you want the most light you can get from the bulbs then get the IC 660/430 and overdrive them, if not then you don't have to they'll do great without overdriving. when you find that you wish you had more light and you're maxed out with the number of bulbs you can fit into your setup then ODing the bulbs is a huge benefit that far outweighs the small life expectancy loss from the bulbs.

kc

Waterbury Guy · 06/05/2007, 02:39 PM

A few more questions here....
1) can the 430 Power 2x 54w T5's?
I ask as I want to control the actinics & day bulbs separately, so I would get two 430's.
2) To overdrive the bulbs, do I stick with the 54W or do I have to use higher wattage bulbs?
3) Where's the best source for a retrofit kit for a 48" hood that comes with reflectors, bulbs, ballasts, end caps, heat sinks, kitchen sink, etc?

dragon_slayer · 06/05/2007, 03:42 PM

1: yes, it's the preferred ballast for a 2x 54w setup.

2: Yes you use regular bulbs, the ballast is what overdrives them, all 48" T5s should be 54w.

3: Reefgeek.com

kc

Waterbury Guy · 06/05/2007, 03:45 PM

Thanks!!

Waterbury Guy · 06/05/2007, 05:31 PM

Hmmm... (2) 2x54W T5 set up ($500) is much more expensive than (1) 4x54w T5 ($350).
Is there room on a 55 gallon tank to have 4x54W T5's and two 55W PC's?

dragon_slayer · 06/05/2007, 07:47 PM

i don't see why you'd even want the PCs, the 4x 54w will be more then plenty of light and you get the desired coloration You want from your choice of bulbs.

kc

Waterbury Guy · 06/05/2007, 07:53 PM

The only reason is that I wanted to is that I like the look of my tank with only the actinics running. It's not possible to do that with 4 bulbs running on a single 660, right?

sjm817 · 06/05/2007, 08:59 PM

You dont need an overdriven setup for a 55G. A quality 4 bulb setup will work very well. Check out ReefGeek.com. They have a 4 bulb kit for $300 with good lamps.
ReefGeek.com

dragon_slayer · 06/05/2007, 09:02 PM

no you can't setup a dusk/dawn with a 660 running 4 bulbs. you'll find it's gonna be hard to stuff the PCs in there and not block the T5's though.

kc

DarG · 06/05/2007, 09:21 PM

If you are dead set on overdriving the lamps, you need to go with two IC 430's to split the bulbs in pairs. That's going to cost you more but it will give you what you want.

Waterbury Guy · 06/06/2007, 07:10 AM

Thanks everybody!

horkn · 06/06/2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by davefan13
i am looking into the same lighting setup for my tank. it would only be suplemental lighting though. would i need to overdrive them for that?

no, I would not overdrive them on a 29 or a 55g unless you want only SPS and clams. lower light corals will probably not react well, even after acclimation...

t5ho when overdriven will need to be repalced at a rate 2x as fast as normally driven t5s. 1 year for OD and 2 for reg driven.

06/05/2007, 09:44 AM	#1
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	Hellolights T5 Retro Fit Anyone have any opinions on this: http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=1369 I've had their 220W PC set up and have been very happy with it. But looking at T5's now.

06/05/2007, 12:01 PM	#7
davefan13 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 192	i am looking into the same lighting setup for my tank. it would only be suplemental lighting though. would i need to overdrive them for that? __________________ Seize the Moment Current Tank Info: 29G Freshwater Community

06/05/2007, 08:59 PM	#15
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	You dont need an overdriven setup for a 55G. A quality 4 bulb setup will work very well. Check out ReefGeek.com. They have a 4 bulb kit for $300 with good lamps. ReefGeek.com __________________ - Scott

06/05/2007, 10:12 AM	#2
dragon_slayer Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: South East Alabama Posts: 7,853	they work great for what they are but their ballast doesn't overdrive the bulbs like an IceCap will so if you're after that extra 'Punch' then get the IC setup. kc

06/05/2007, 10:20 AM	#3
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	Hate to sound like an idiot, but..... What does overdrive do and why do I want it?

06/05/2007, 10:26 AM	#4
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	It drives the bulbs at higher than their nominal wattage. For the 54 watt 48" T5, the Ice Cap 430 or 660 E-ballasts will drive them at 85 watts. You dont need it unless you maybe need more light from less bulbs due to space limitations. Or maybe you don't want to change an existing set-up, or build a new canopy so you can get some extra light output by changing to the IC ballast. The bulbs will generate more heat and don't last quite as long when overdriven. Also, the experts suggest making sure that you use a fan to blow air on the end caps to help cooling if you are overdriving the bulbs.

06/05/2007, 10:27 AM	#5
dragon_slayer Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: South East Alabama Posts: 7,853	an IC 660 will drive 4x 54w T5s at 80w each, a 430 will do the same with a 2x 54w setup, with the hellolights ballast you're only gonna get 54w out of the bulbs. overdriving gives you allot more light/par then not overdriving, it does shorten bulb life but placing a fan to move air across the bulbs helps there and makes the difference marginal. if you're keeping softies the regular setup would suffice, if you want higher light demanding specimens you get more light from the same number of bulbs with the IC overdriving them. kc

06/05/2007, 11:49 AM	#6
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	I am currently keeping softies with much success with my PC. Was hoping to move into some SPS with the 4 x 54W T5. As I understood it, with indicividual reflectors, it would be much more light than the PC, without overdriving.

06/05/2007, 12:07 PM	#8
dragon_slayer Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: South East Alabama Posts: 7,853	it's just personal choice, if you want the most light you can get from the bulbs then get the IC 660/430 and overdrive them, if not then you don't have to they'll do great without overdriving. when you find that you wish you had more light and you're maxed out with the number of bulbs you can fit into your setup then ODing the bulbs is a huge benefit that far outweighs the small life expectancy loss from the bulbs. kc

06/05/2007, 02:39 PM	#9
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	A few more questions here.... 1) can the 430 Power 2x 54w T5's? I ask as I want to control the actinics & day bulbs separately, so I would get two 430's. 2) To overdrive the bulbs, do I stick with the 54W or do I have to use higher wattage bulbs? 3) Where's the best source for a retrofit kit for a 48" hood that comes with reflectors, bulbs, ballasts, end caps, heat sinks, kitchen sink, etc?

06/05/2007, 03:42 PM	#10
dragon_slayer Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: South East Alabama Posts: 7,853	1: yes, it's the preferred ballast for a 2x 54w setup. 2: Yes you use regular bulbs, the ballast is what overdrives them, all 48" T5s should be 54w. 3: Reefgeek.com kc

06/05/2007, 03:45 PM	#11
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	Thanks!!

06/05/2007, 05:31 PM	#12
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	Hmmm... (2) 2x54W T5 set up ($500) is much more expensive than (1) 4x54w T5 ($350). Is there room on a 55 gallon tank to have 4x54W T5's and two 55W PC's?

06/05/2007, 07:47 PM	#13
dragon_slayer Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: South East Alabama Posts: 7,853	i don't see why you'd even want the PCs, the 4x 54w will be more then plenty of light and you get the desired coloration You want from your choice of bulbs. kc

06/05/2007, 07:53 PM	#14
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	The only reason is that I wanted to is that I like the look of my tank with only the actinics running. It's not possible to do that with 4 bulbs running on a single 660, right?

06/05/2007, 09:02 PM	#16
dragon_slayer Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: South East Alabama Posts: 7,853	no you can't setup a dusk/dawn with a 660 running 4 bulbs. you'll find it's gonna be hard to stuff the PCs in there and not block the T5's though. kc

06/05/2007, 09:21 PM	#17
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	If you are dead set on overdriving the lamps, you need to go with two IC 430's to split the bulbs in pairs. That's going to cost you more but it will give you what you want.

06/06/2007, 07:10 AM	#18
Waterbury Guy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vermont Posts: 582	Thanks everybody!