Supplementing MH with T5

bluetang_2000 · 03/18/2008, 10:57 PM

Should I supplement metal halide with regular T5 or overdrive T5? Any good recommendation for regular T5 ballast?

Thanks

fishnut321 · 03/19/2008, 12:20 AM

i believe all t-5 ho are overdriven, thats how they get the high par values

SCIronMike · 03/19/2008, 01:12 AM

I got rid of my two 150watt metal halides with two 50/50 CFs and replaced it with a 4x54 IceCap T5 retrofit kit. Everything is thriving with just the T5s and the electricity bill went way down. No fans necessary in the summer now either.

Rickyrooz1 · 03/19/2008, 07:14 AM

An IceCap 660 ballast will overdrive the 54 watt bulbs to 80 watts. If you are using for supp there is no need to overdrive the T-5's.

bluetang_2000 · 03/19/2008, 07:40 AM

I do have the Icecap T5 ballasts, 430 & 660 on my 75gal now. But I like to use the metal halide pendants that I have for the new 120gal canopy with T5. just curious whether there is a regular ballast, like the one being sold at reefgeek with the Tek retro.

bdare · 03/19/2008, 07:43 AM

I have a 250W 14K Phoenix that is supplemented with 2x39W T5s. I LOVE the look and the abliity to have dusk / dawn effects. The T5 bulbs I'm running are Blue+ and an ATI Aquablue.

It brightens up the tank more than the MH alone and gives the corals more POP.

bluetang_2000 · 03/19/2008, 07:56 AM

bdare, what kind of t5 ballast are you using?

DarG · 03/19/2008, 09:01 AM

I overdrive my T5 supplements with Icecap ballast. If I had room for 4 T5's I wouldnt overdrive. I only had room for two so I do overdrive them. Overdriving gives me more color impact from the T5's since I could only fit two of them. I didnt do it for the par.

x2uranium · 03/19/2008, 01:43 PM

...I have overdriven T5, but I dont think that you will need them for supplemental, Also

www.ballastwise.com has T5 HO ballasts for sale for 30-40$ range. No need to overdrive lights for supplemental lighting

I overdrive cuz I use T5 as my main lighting.

and, I think the reason for using Fans on an overdriven system is to prolong the life of the bulb, Since they are not running on original factory specifications, (current) I took old computer case fans and hooked them up to a transformer, for about $5.00 they work fantastically.

x2uranium · 03/19/2008, 01:47 PM

http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?...FID=15&level=1

bluetang_2000 · 03/19/2008, 01:49 PM

thanks for the advice. i think i am going to get this ballast made by sylvania

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...ffd2a29fa4c9a5

03/18/2008, 10:57 PM	#1
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	Supplementing MH with T5 Should I supplement metal halide with regular T5 or overdrive T5? Any good recommendation for regular T5 ballast? Thanks

03/19/2008, 07:14 AM	#4
Rickyrooz1 Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 2,453	An IceCap 660 ballast will overdrive the 54 watt bulbs to 80 watts. If you are using for supp there is no need to overdrive the T-5's. __________________ 120 Gallon Acropora dominated tank, barebottom, APEX Controller, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Skimz SM163, Jebao DCT 6000 return pump & two Jebao OW-40. Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated

03/19/2008, 07:43 AM	#6
bdare Salty Dude Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockwall, TX Posts: 1,322 Blog Entries: 3	I have a 250W 14K Phoenix that is supplemented with 2x39W T5s. I LOVE the look and the abliity to have dusk / dawn effects. The T5 bulbs I'm running are Blue+ and an ATI Aquablue. It brightens up the tank more than the MH alone and gives the corals more POP. __________________ 220 Mixed Reef GeoCaRx, GHL Profilux 4, Octopus Skimmer, Kessil 360X 2 x Maxspect Gyre XF350

03/19/2008, 12:20 AM	#2
fishnut321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warrensburg, Mo Posts: 763	i believe all t-5 ho are overdriven, thats how they get the high par values

03/19/2008, 01:12 AM	#3
SCIronMike Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 58	I got rid of my two 150watt metal halides with two 50/50 CFs and replaced it with a 4x54 IceCap T5 retrofit kit. Everything is thriving with just the T5s and the electricity bill went way down. No fans necessary in the summer now either.

03/19/2008, 07:40 AM	#5
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	I do have the Icecap T5 ballasts, 430 & 660 on my 75gal now. But I like to use the metal halide pendants that I have for the new 120gal canopy with T5. just curious whether there is a regular ballast, like the one being sold at reefgeek with the Tek retro.

03/19/2008, 07:56 AM	#7
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	bdare, what kind of t5 ballast are you using?

03/19/2008, 09:01 AM	#8
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I overdrive my T5 supplements with Icecap ballast. If I had room for 4 T5's I wouldnt overdrive. I only had room for two so I do overdrive them. Overdriving gives me more color impact from the T5's since I could only fit two of them. I didnt do it for the par.

03/19/2008, 01:43 PM	#9
x2uranium Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pittston, PA Posts: 1,257	...I have overdriven T5, but I dont think that you will need them for supplemental, Also www.ballastwise.com has T5 HO ballasts for sale for 30-40$ range. No need to overdrive lights for supplemental lighting I overdrive cuz I use T5 as my main lighting. and, I think the reason for using Fans on an overdriven system is to prolong the life of the bulb, Since they are not running on original factory specifications, (current) I took old computer case fans and hooked them up to a transformer, for about $5.00 they work fantastically.

03/19/2008, 01:47 PM	#10
x2uranium Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pittston, PA Posts: 1,257	http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?...FID=15&level=1

03/19/2008, 01:49 PM	#11
bluetang_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bayarea Posts: 469	thanks for the advice. i think i am going to get this ballast made by sylvania https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...ffd2a29fa4c9a5