Questions about my supplemental lighting choices

LobsterOfJustice · 12/11/2008, 02:55 PM

Last night, I had the windows behind the tank open to get some fresh air (its beautiful temperature-wise here), but apparently it started raining. I noticed the actinics did not come on at 11 this morning like they are supposed to. I clicked the timer off then on a few times - each time the actinics would come on for a few seconds, but the ballast pops and crackles and they cut back off. I guess the ballast got wet.

I noticed a replacement ballast (icecap 660) is nearly the price of a Tek2 T5 retrofit kit with 2x 54w from reefgeek. So I guess I find myself with a few options:

1. Replace ballast, keep VHOs

2a. Scrap VHOs, get a SLR T5 retrokit for not much more than the replacement ballast.
2b. However, if I am going to do this, should I go for this more expensive kit that overdrives the bulbs (and ironically uses an icecap 660)?

3. Forget about supplemental lighting altogether and I'll be able to fit lumenarc mini's in my canopy to replace these crappy spider reflectors.

LobsterOfJustice · 12/12/2008, 01:57 PM

bump

LobsterOfJustice · 12/14/2008, 03:18 PM

Jeez, was it something I said?...

Just looking for some suggestions, input, opinions, etc.

fmelindy · 12/14/2008, 03:50 PM

you could just try checking or replacing the bulbs one at a time = may not be your ballast at all!

grigsy · 12/14/2008, 04:47 PM

I would keep the VHO bulbs. They are the best color IMO. Much better color than any T5 actinic bulb I have seen.

You can save yourself some money and replace the ballast with an ARO vho ballast or use Fulham ballast. Fulham workhorse 5 or 2 workhorse 7 (if it is a 140 watt or 165 watt vho).

Ice cap 660 is good but there are cheaper alternatives.

DarG · 12/14/2008, 05:48 PM

Send the ballast in to Icecap for service. Probably Half the price of buying a new one maybe a little more than 1/2 if they need to replace the entire board.

LobsterOfJustice · 12/15/2008, 03:00 PM

fmelindy, I guess it's possible, but the ballast definitely got wet, and nothing changed with the rest of the setup. Looking back, I'd be suprised if the ballast still did work.

grigsy... now we're getting into another one of my threads. I dont really care about the actinic look all that much. Even if I keep the VHO, I will probably switch at least one of them out for another bulb.

DarG, that is a good idea, I posted in their forum and they said to send it in. I saw on another post it usually runs about $65. I might just do that for now, and I can always still use this ballast if I want to switch to T5s.

DarG · 12/15/2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LobsterOfJustice
fmelindy, I guess it's possible, but the ballast definitely got wet, and nothing changed with the rest of the setup. Looking back, I'd be suprised if the ballast still did work.

grigsy... now we're getting into another one of my threads. I dont really care about the actinic look all that much. Even if I keep the VHO, I will probably switch at least one of them out for another bulb.

DarG, that is a good idea, I posted in their forum and they said to send it in. I saw on another post it usually runs about $65. I might just do that for now, and I can always still use this ballast if I want to switch to T5s.

Yes, the 65 bucks is a flat rate fee. But, if the entire board needs replacing, it is a bit more. 80 or 90 bucks if I remember right.

12/11/2008, 02:55 PM	#1
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Questions about my supplemental lighting choices Last night, I had the windows behind the tank open to get some fresh air (its beautiful temperature-wise here), but apparently it started raining. I noticed the actinics did not come on at 11 this morning like they are supposed to. I clicked the timer off then on a few times - each time the actinics would come on for a few seconds, but the ballast pops and crackles and they cut back off. I guess the ballast got wet. I noticed a replacement ballast (icecap 660) is nearly the price of a Tek2 T5 retrofit kit with 2x 54w from reefgeek. So I guess I find myself with a few options: 1. Replace ballast, keep VHOs 2a. Scrap VHOs, get a SLR T5 retrokit for not much more than the replacement ballast. 2b. However, if I am going to do this, should I go for this more expensive kit that overdrives the bulbs (and ironically uses an icecap 660)? 3. Forget about supplemental lighting altogether and I'll be able to fit lumenarc mini's in my canopy to replace these crappy spider reflectors. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

12/12/2008, 01:57 PM	#2
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	bump __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

12/14/2008, 03:18 PM	#3
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Jeez, was it something I said?... Just looking for some suggestions, input, opinions, etc. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

12/15/2008, 03:00 PM	#7
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	fmelindy, I guess it's possible, but the ballast definitely got wet, and nothing changed with the rest of the setup. Looking back, I'd be suprised if the ballast still did work. grigsy... now we're getting into another one of my threads. I dont really care about the actinic look all that much. Even if I keep the VHO, I will probably switch at least one of them out for another bulb. DarG, that is a good idea, I posted in their forum and they said to send it in. I saw on another post it usually runs about $65. I might just do that for now, and I can always still use this ballast if I want to switch to T5s. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

12/14/2008, 03:50 PM	#4
fmelindy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: St. John's, NL, Canada Posts: 116	you could just try checking or replacing the bulbs one at a time = may not be your ballast at all!

12/14/2008, 04:47 PM	#5
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I would keep the VHO bulbs. They are the best color IMO. Much better color than any T5 actinic bulb I have seen. You can save yourself some money and replace the ballast with an ARO vho ballast or use Fulham ballast. Fulham workhorse 5 or 2 workhorse 7 (if it is a 140 watt or 165 watt vho). Ice cap 660 is good but there are cheaper alternatives.

12/14/2008, 05:48 PM	#6
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Send the ballast in to Icecap for service. Probably Half the price of buying a new one maybe a little more than 1/2 if they need to replace the entire board.