T5 over driven by Icecap.

partsguy247 · 01/17/2010, 11:25 AM

I was wondering how many of you are using Icecap ballast to over drive your T5 set ups. I have 6 bulb system over driven by to Icecap 660's over my SPS 40 gallon. Does anyone have the same setup? What do you think are the pros and cons?

broke1 · 01/17/2010, 11:29 AM

Cons, bulb life.

Pros, quality ballast that comes with great customer service if it's ever needed.

You can get more watts of light in a given space. I use them quite often becasue I am limited to the amount of bulbs I can fit over a tank, yet still get the par of a set up that runs more bulbs.

mordibv · 01/17/2010, 11:39 AM

I went back to a halide for simlicity ,glitter lines and less heat when I downgraded to a 70 cube . I ran a ice cap 660 prewired setup with 2 Hagen retro's for 8 bulbs on a 4 foot tank.
Pro's.
Ice cap reliability and support .
54 watt driven to 84 for more light output .
The reflectors are rated as some of the best out there
Con's
Could see a variance in light output when over cooled with fans . (less punch )
Need good cooling as these lights can get hot .
Shorter lifespan on bulbs by overdrivng them . Was replacing bulbs every 8 to 10 months .

HTH

The Grim Reefer · 01/17/2010, 12:48 PM

There is really no reason to overdrive the T5's on a 40. With good reflectors and lamps the standard ballasts will give you enough light to grow anything you want.

partsguy247 · 01/17/2010, 02:02 PM

6 T5's over driven by my two Icecaps 660 to much light for my 40 gallon? Could that be why some of my SPS are lighter in color than I want?

ksc · 01/17/2010, 03:19 PM

I doubt it. The ATI ho fixtures put out far more par than the Icecap VHO retros. Even IC itself chose to use an HO ballast in their new fixtures....

The Grim Reefer · 01/17/2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksc

I doubt it. The ATI ho fixtures put out far more par than the Icecap VHO retros. Even IC itself chose to use an HO ballast in their new fixtures....

Not according to my PAR meter.

The Grim Reefer · 01/17/2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partsguy247

6 T5's over driven by my two Icecaps 660 to much light for my 40 gallon? Could that be why some of my SPS are lighter in color than I want?

What lamps are you using? SPS at the surface of the ocean are being hit with more than most lighting fixtures could ever dream on producing so I doubt it would be enough to bleach them.

partsguy247 · 01/17/2010, 04:18 PM

I have 2 Pure actinic, 2 actinic +, 2 midday.

The Grim Reefer · 01/17/2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partsguy247

I have 2 Pure actinic, 2 actinic +, 2 midday.

Take out a Midday and try a UVL Actinic White, the added red seems to help deepen the colors in some cases

partsguy247 · 01/17/2010, 04:47 PM

Thanks I will try that. I also have been thinking of going with just a five bulb set up what combo of bulbs would you recommend? I can get Geissman bulbs locally. I do like a more blue look to my tanks.

The Grim Reefer · 01/17/2010, 05:07 PM

3 Actinic Plus, 1 Midday and A Actinic White.

partsguy247 · 01/17/2010, 11:34 PM

Thank you for the input Grim Reefer.

01/17/2010, 11:25 AM	#1
partsguy247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Roy, UT. Posts: 98	T5 over driven by Icecap. I was wondering how many of you are using Icecap ballast to over drive your T5 set ups. I have 6 bulb system over driven by to Icecap 660's over my SPS 40 gallon. Does anyone have the same setup? What do you think are the pros and cons? __________________ Common sense is not that common. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon

01/17/2010, 11:29 AM	#2
broke1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: IL Posts: 1,721	Cons, bulb life. Pros, quality ballast that comes with great customer service if it's ever needed. You can get more watts of light in a given space. I use them quite often becasue I am limited to the amount of bulbs I can fit over a tank, yet still get the par of a set up that runs more bulbs. __________________ Removed. Current Tank Info: Too big, yet too small

01/17/2010, 11:39 AM	#3
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	I went back to a halide for simlicity ,glitter lines and less heat when I downgraded to a 70 cube . I ran a ice cap 660 prewired setup with 2 Hagen retro's for 8 bulbs on a 4 foot tank. Pro's. Ice cap reliability and support . 54 watt driven to 84 for more light output . The reflectors are rated as some of the best out there Con's Could see a variance in light output when over cooled with fans . (less punch ) Need good cooling as these lights can get hot . Shorter lifespan on bulbs by overdrivng them . Was replacing bulbs every 8 to 10 months . HTH __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM

01/17/2010, 12:48 PM	#4
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	There is really no reason to overdrive the T5's on a 40. With good reflectors and lamps the standard ballasts will give you enough light to grow anything you want. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

01/17/2010, 02:02 PM	#5
partsguy247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Roy, UT. Posts: 98	6 T5's over driven by my two Icecaps 660 to much light for my 40 gallon? Could that be why some of my SPS are lighter in color than I want? __________________ Common sense is not that common. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon

01/17/2010, 03:19 PM	#6
ksc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 415	I doubt it. The ATI ho fixtures put out far more par than the Icecap VHO retros. Even IC itself chose to use an HO ballast in their new fixtures....

01/17/2010, 04:18 PM	#9
partsguy247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Roy, UT. Posts: 98	I have 2 Pure actinic, 2 actinic +, 2 midday. __________________ Common sense is not that common. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon

01/17/2010, 04:47 PM	#11
partsguy247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Roy, UT. Posts: 98	Thanks I will try that. I also have been thinking of going with just a five bulb set up what combo of bulbs would you recommend? I can get Geissman bulbs locally. I do like a more blue look to my tanks. __________________ Common sense is not that common. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon

01/17/2010, 05:07 PM	#12
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	3 Actinic Plus, 1 Midday and A Actinic White. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

01/17/2010, 11:34 PM	#13
partsguy247 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Roy, UT. Posts: 98	Thank you for the input Grim Reefer. __________________ Common sense is not that common. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon