Lighting question MH + T5 large tank

Mahlhavoc · 02/04/2007, 02:08 PM

Ok, I am having my tank built right now, the size is 8 foot by 36" deep and 30" tall. I have already purchased 3 400watt MH 15k XM bulbs with luminarc reflectors (nice lamps with a great look and not too blue).

Here comes my question, the tank will be mostly SPS driven and was thinking of adding some T5 for supplimentation. I have some icecap 660 ballasts and I know you can use them to fire off t5 bulbs.

What is the recommendation here as far as spectrum for the T5, if you think I should use the 660 ballasts, and how many lamps?

Any help would be appreciated and a reason for your answer would help me decide for myself.

aninjaatemyshoe · 02/04/2007, 02:27 PM

The Icecap is supposed to be an excellent ballast for T5s. The only problem is that they overdrive them a little, so the bulbs probably won't last quite as long as they normally would. The upside of this is that you get more bang out of them. Typically, I've seen setups that use 4 lamps per 660 ballast (although the ballasts are rated to run more wattage and I don't know why they don't use more bulbs per ballast)

Spectrum really depends on what you like in terms of color. So I don't know what to recommend to you in that case. Most people, myself included, like the actinic supplementation look. The geissman T5 bulbs have very pretty colors. I really like the Pure actinics.

Mahlhavoc · 02/04/2007, 02:42 PM

So I can run 4-80watt T5s with them? Would that be good enough with the 3-400watt mogul MH to keep w/e I wanted? And the T5s would last more like 1.5 years instead of 2? Also, best brand for the T5 or does it really have much difference?

The XM 15k lights give a good amount of blue off, I just don't want it too blue as it may look a bit unnatural. Would you suggest 2 sunlight 2 60% x40%?

Thanks again!

hahnmeister · 02/04/2007, 03:10 PM

The IC660 can only run 3 of the 5' bulbs (at 100watts each), and it doesnt run them as efficiently as some of the shorter bulbs (something like a 20% power boost only yeilds a 15% output boost). You would get more out of running four 4' bulbs on that ballast... they will get run at 80 watts each though... so extra attention to cooling is important, and even at that, the bulbs will look whiter.

I would look into getting some normal spec T5 ballasts FWIW. I see Sylvania 2x54T5HO/UNV PSN ballasts on ebay every once and a while for $10-20 each... great ballast for cheap. Besides, on a tank that size, and with 400s, I would be looking into running at least 12 of the 4' T5s.

Mahlhavoc · 02/04/2007, 03:47 PM

WOW, 12- 4' T5s with 3-400 watt Mogul XMs? That dosen't seem like too much? I currently have 5 660 icecaps laying around and just wondered.

hahnmeister · 02/04/2007, 07:34 PM

Well, all together, yes, that may seem like alot... but in order to balance color-wise with all of those intense halides... yeah. If you just ran what... 4 T5 blue bulbs you will barely notice. Usually, I like to suggest a 2:1 halide to T5 wattage ratio for a very nice blend. I suppose that does put you up at about 1800 watts total... but thats not exactly absurd for a 450+ gallon reef. I would suggest at a minimum to run 8 of the 4' bulbs with blue+ bulbs.

02/04/2007, 02:08 PM	#1
Mahlhavoc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Blue Springs, Missouri Posts: 302	Lighting question MH + T5 large tank Ok, I am having my tank built right now, the size is 8 foot by 36" deep and 30" tall. I have already purchased 3 400watt MH 15k XM bulbs with luminarc reflectors (nice lamps with a great look and not too blue). Here comes my question, the tank will be mostly SPS driven and was thinking of adding some T5 for supplimentation. I have some icecap 660 ballasts and I know you can use them to fire off t5 bulbs. What is the recommendation here as far as spectrum for the T5, if you think I should use the 660 ballasts, and how many lamps? Any help would be appreciated and a reason for your answer would help me decide for myself.

02/04/2007, 02:27 PM	#2
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	The Icecap is supposed to be an excellent ballast for T5s. The only problem is that they overdrive them a little, so the bulbs probably won't last quite as long as they normally would. The upside of this is that you get more bang out of them. Typically, I've seen setups that use 4 lamps per 660 ballast (although the ballasts are rated to run more wattage and I don't know why they don't use more bulbs per ballast) Spectrum really depends on what you like in terms of color. So I don't know what to recommend to you in that case. Most people, myself included, like the actinic supplementation look. The geissman T5 bulbs have very pretty colors. I really like the Pure actinics. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

02/04/2007, 02:42 PM	#3
Mahlhavoc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Blue Springs, Missouri Posts: 302	So I can run 4-80watt T5s with them? Would that be good enough with the 3-400watt mogul MH to keep w/e I wanted? And the T5s would last more like 1.5 years instead of 2? Also, best brand for the T5 or does it really have much difference? The XM 15k lights give a good amount of blue off, I just don't want it too blue as it may look a bit unnatural. Would you suggest 2 sunlight 2 60% x40%? Thanks again!

02/04/2007, 03:10 PM	#4
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	The IC660 can only run 3 of the 5' bulbs (at 100watts each), and it doesnt run them as efficiently as some of the shorter bulbs (something like a 20% power boost only yeilds a 15% output boost). You would get more out of running four 4' bulbs on that ballast... they will get run at 80 watts each though... so extra attention to cooling is important, and even at that, the bulbs will look whiter. I would look into getting some normal spec T5 ballasts FWIW. I see Sylvania 2x54T5HO/UNV PSN ballasts on ebay every once and a while for $10-20 each... great ballast for cheap. Besides, on a tank that size, and with 400s, I would be looking into running at least 12 of the 4' T5s.

02/04/2007, 03:47 PM	#5
Mahlhavoc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Blue Springs, Missouri Posts: 302	WOW, 12- 4' T5s with 3-400 watt Mogul XMs? That dosen't seem like too much? I currently have 5 660 icecaps laying around and just wondered.

02/04/2007, 07:34 PM	#6
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Well, all together, yes, that may seem like alot... but in order to balance color-wise with all of those intense halides... yeah. If you just ran what... 4 T5 blue bulbs you will barely notice. Usually, I like to suggest a 2:1 halide to T5 wattage ratio for a very nice blend. I suppose that does put you up at about 1800 watts total... but thats not exactly absurd for a 450+ gallon reef. I would suggest at a minimum to run 8 of the 4' bulbs with blue+ bulbs.