icecap with t-5's

powdertang05 · 12/04/2006, 01:22 AM

ok so i finally decided what m getting my self for christmas its a 48 x 24 x 10 frag tank and im going to do t-5's now heres my queston my lfs has these 48" t-5's that have built in ballasts and are 33 bucks each that i can daisy chain up to four and im doing 12 t-5's so should i do that or get the endcaps and 660 ballast from icecap and over drive them. now heres my second question how many t-5s can i put on one 660 c ballast 4 or 6 or what. thanks in advanced

btw i was also thinking since those ones that are at my lfs are 1 inch wide do you thnk i should do 24 t-5's or way too much light????

dhoch · 12/04/2006, 04:32 AM

First...use reflectors, it will be less bulbs but much more efficient.

assuming these are HO t5s driving them from a 660 will also boost the light, but you will only be able to get 1 every 2-3" over that size tank 8 bulbs will be A LOT of light for a 10" deep tank.

You probably will want to try 4 bulbs as a start with good reflectors and you will get a ton of SPS growth (assuming you maintain good levels).

Dave

jag1979 · 12/04/2006, 05:52 AM

i think you can put 16' of t5's on a 660

NJReefGeek · 12/04/2006, 07:15 AM

Call Andy at ICe Cap, he is good guy to talk to. I believe the 660 will handle 4 bulbs of any length, but must be 4 bulbs.

i know the 430 can handle 2 bulbs any length.

kjord97 · 12/04/2006, 01:35 PM

Or just ask Andy down below in the Sponsor area. He is a real nice and knowledable guy, got the chance to have dinner with him and hang out this past november when he came to one of our meetings.

12/04/2006, 01:22 AM	#1
powdertang05 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hayward, CA Posts: 613	icecap with t-5's ok so i finally decided what m getting my self for christmas its a 48 x 24 x 10 frag tank and im going to do t-5's now heres my queston my lfs has these 48" t-5's that have built in ballasts and are 33 bucks each that i can daisy chain up to four and im doing 12 t-5's so should i do that or get the endcaps and 660 ballast from icecap and over drive them. now heres my second question how many t-5s can i put on one 660 c ballast 4 or 6 or what. thanks in advanced btw i was also thinking since those ones that are at my lfs are 1 inch wide do you thnk i should do 24 t-5's or way too much light????

12/04/2006, 04:32 AM	#2
dhoch Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,762	First...use reflectors, it will be less bulbs but much more efficient. assuming these are HO t5s driving them from a 660 will also boost the light, but you will only be able to get 1 every 2-3" over that size tank 8 bulbs will be A LOT of light for a 10" deep tank. You probably will want to try 4 bulbs as a start with good reflectors and you will get a ton of SPS growth (assuming you maintain good levels). Dave __________________ Check out my tanks website... click the red box above my post Current Tank Info: 180 gal Acrylic, 29 gal refugium, 40 gal sump, Mag 18 -> 2 Sea Swirls, Tunze 6100, 8 x 80W overdriven T5 Lights, ASM G4 skimmer

12/04/2006, 05:52 AM	#3
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	i think you can put 16' of t5's on a 660 __________________ clowns, bi-color pseudo, coral beauty, yellow tang GBTA, crocea clam xenia, various polyps/zoa's, candy cane, tree leather, frogspawn, torch, various mushrooms, green/red plate, birdsnest Current Tank Info: 180 AGA, tunze 6100, 6025 and 6060, 3 x 250 mh's, 3 x 80 t5's, ASM G4+

12/04/2006, 07:15 AM	#4
NJReefGeek Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Whiting, NJ Posts: 304	Call Andy at ICe Cap, he is good guy to talk to. I believe the 660 will handle 4 bulbs of any length, but must be 4 bulbs. i know the 430 can handle 2 bulbs any length. __________________ O&A - Spread the Virus..XM Radio 202 Click little red house to see my Slideshow.... www.njreefgeek.com "To be sure of hitting your target, Shoot first and call whatever you hit the target." Current Tank Info: 150g High mixed reef SPS LPS Softy, ETSS 1000 skimmer, 2 x 400 watt MH, T5 atinics

12/04/2006, 01:35 PM	#5
kjord97 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chaptico, Md Posts: 248	Or just ask Andy down below in the Sponsor area. He is a real nice and knowledable guy, got the chance to have dinner with him and hang out this past november when he came to one of our meetings. __________________ 180 Gal Deep Reef 40 gal sump, Octopus 200 Skimmer, 3 x 250 MH XM 10K 150 Gal 31" Tall Reef 35 Gal sump, Octopus 150 Skimmer, 3 x 250 MH Radium 20K, 58 Gal Reef Tank in the wall next to fire place 28 Gal JBJ 150 HQI 24 Gal JBJ Nano