T-5 lighting question

JamesJR · 11/05/2006, 01:36 AM

I have an extra icecap 660 ballast lying around and was wondering if you can wire it up to use t-5 bulbs? Does this work well and do the bulbs have the same lifespan?

jag1979 · 11/05/2006, 07:25 AM

I have 3 x 80 watt 5' t5's running from my 660. Not sure if it works well yet, I have had heating issues. The t5's are supplemental lighting for my 3 x 250 mh's. They had been turning off after a few hours, but yesterday I turned my fans on the entire time they were on and they worked fine. As far as the life, the life will be shortened if you overdrive them.

JamesJR · 11/05/2006, 11:06 AM

well, How many bulbs can I run with my 660?

The Grim Reefer · 11/05/2006, 11:55 AM

3 80 watt lamps or 4 of the others, run fans and ovrdriving wont make a huge difference on lamp life

reefdadx2 · 11/05/2006, 12:19 PM

IMO, use those awesome 660 Icecap ballasts on VHO's. They will overdrive your T5's , heating them up shortening their life and changing their color. T5's look and perform best when not overdriven. that is how they use them over in Europe. What size aquarium will you be lighting and what type of corals do you plan on having? Michael R

reefdadx2 · 11/05/2006, 12:27 PM

Grim, just curious, if you could choose to overdrive or not what way would you go? Have you lit Two T5's one overdriven and one not and seen the change in color of the bulb? Then there are the heat issues and bulb life issues? I do greatly resepect your opinion. Michael R

The Grim Reefer · 11/05/2006, 04:54 PM

I can't see a difference in the color overdriven vs non overdriven. The light produced is a result of th phosphores being stimulated by the UV light produced inside the lamp. Overdriven lamps in theory might produce more blue spectrum which is a good thing. As long as you run fans so the lamps don't overheat running them on IC ballasts don't appear to cut down on the life of the lamp, at least not on the 80 watt lamps.

The Grim Reefer · 11/05/2006, 04:58 PM

I wouldn't hesitate to overdrive on the right tank. A VHO T5 is being developed right now based on a overdriven T5 HO. At 9 months the thing still had over 90% of the original output. Try to get that result with a T12 VHO.

reefdadx2 · 11/05/2006, 11:23 PM

I would look forward to a VHO T5.

Michael R

JamesJR · 11/06/2006, 12:41 AM

I am using a spare 55 gallon tank that I have. When I set it up last I kept it as a predominantly Sps coral tank with some maxima clams that I had. Obviously I had a different lighting situation and T-5 was not really used when I had the tank set up last (2 years ago).

I was able to keep sps on my old 30 gallon using 4X95 watt VHO lamps, but I have only seen one tank in person running solely off of t-5 and am not completely set on using them yet.

This time I am going to do it on a simpler scale, I want to keep easier sps like caps and digitata and maybe some other carefully selected sps. I will be moving into an apartment and I don't want to use metal halides, I just want to run this tank more efficiently than it was previously. So, it sounds like the ice cap ballast can't be use to run four lamps that are four foot in length a piece like you can with VHO. What do you think would be better?

The Grim Reefer · 11/06/2006, 12:46 AM

You can run 4 4 foot T5's, those are the 54 watt lamps. You can only run three of the 60" 80 watt lamps on the 660.

JamesJR · 11/06/2006, 01:31 AM

Thanks Grim. Well, if I get the T-5s and use a good reflector, will that be better than VHO? will I be able to keep a few sps with out much fuss?

The Grim Reefer · 11/06/2006, 01:36 AM

Oh hell yeah. 4x54 overdriven with IC reflectors will be enough light for anything you could put in a 55, SPS Clams Anemones.

JamesJR · 11/06/2006, 01:45 AM

I think I am sold on the t-5s. How long do the bulbs last before you have to change them? Part of the reason I am asking is because I heard they last longer which is really nice because I hated having to shell out over a hundred bucks for a bunch of light bulbs.

The Grim Reefer · 11/06/2006, 02:29 AM

As long as you run a couple fans to keep the lamps from overheating you can probably get 18 months out of them safely

JamesJR · 11/06/2006, 10:02 AM

18 months? T-5s it is my friend.

FullPull · 11/06/2006, 11:39 AM

Grim, how would you compare 4 - 54w's with individuall reflectors driven by a 660 to the 5 light Aquactinics unit ?...have you been around one of their units yet to get an idea ?

The Grim Reefer · 11/06/2006, 11:48 AM

Got an Aquactinics unit on the way to test. They can't compete with an overdriven IC retro.

R.yumaDaddy? · 11/06/2006, 12:43 PM

Any approximation on a t5 vho bulb release... before MACNA?

FishTri · 11/06/2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Grim Reefer
Got an Aquactinics unit on the way to test. They can't compete with an overdriven IC retro.

Question. What do you mean by "overdiriven"?

11/05/2006, 01:36 AM	#1
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	T-5 lighting question I have an extra icecap 660 ballast lying around and was wondering if you can wire it up to use t-5 bulbs? Does this work well and do the bulbs have the same lifespan? __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

11/05/2006, 07:25 AM	#2
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	I have 3 x 80 watt 5' t5's running from my 660. Not sure if it works well yet, I have had heating issues. The t5's are supplemental lighting for my 3 x 250 mh's. They had been turning off after a few hours, but yesterday I turned my fans on the entire time they were on and they worked fine. As far as the life, the life will be shortened if you overdrive them. __________________ 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+

11/05/2006, 11:06 AM	#3
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	well, How many bulbs can I run with my 660? __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

11/05/2006, 11:55 AM	#4
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	3 80 watt lamps or 4 of the others, run fans and ovrdriving wont make a huge difference on lamp life __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

11/05/2006, 04:54 PM	#7
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I can't see a difference in the color overdriven vs non overdriven. The light produced is a result of th phosphores being stimulated by the UV light produced inside the lamp. Overdriven lamps in theory might produce more blue spectrum which is a good thing. As long as you run fans so the lamps don't overheat running them on IC ballasts don't appear to cut down on the life of the lamp, at least not on the 80 watt lamps. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

11/05/2006, 12:19 PM	#5
reefdadx2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Salem, VA Posts: 941	IMO, use those awesome 660 Icecap ballasts on VHO's. They will overdrive your T5's , heating them up shortening their life and changing their color. T5's look and perform best when not overdriven. that is how they use them over in Europe. What size aquarium will you be lighting and what type of corals do you plan on having? Michael R

11/05/2006, 12:27 PM	#6
reefdadx2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Salem, VA Posts: 941	Grim, just curious, if you could choose to overdrive or not what way would you go? Have you lit Two T5's one overdriven and one not and seen the change in color of the bulb? Then there are the heat issues and bulb life issues? I do greatly resepect your opinion. Michael R

11/05/2006, 04:58 PM	#8
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	I wouldn't hesitate to overdrive on the right tank. A VHO T5 is being developed right now based on a overdriven T5 HO. At 9 months the thing still had over 90% of the original output. Try to get that result with a T12 VHO. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

11/05/2006, 11:23 PM	#9
reefdadx2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Salem, VA Posts: 941	I would look forward to a VHO T5. Michael R

11/06/2006, 12:41 AM	#10
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	I am using a spare 55 gallon tank that I have. When I set it up last I kept it as a predominantly Sps coral tank with some maxima clams that I had. Obviously I had a different lighting situation and T-5 was not really used when I had the tank set up last (2 years ago). I was able to keep sps on my old 30 gallon using 4X95 watt VHO lamps, but I have only seen one tank in person running solely off of t-5 and am not completely set on using them yet. This time I am going to do it on a simpler scale, I want to keep easier sps like caps and digitata and maybe some other carefully selected sps. I will be moving into an apartment and I don't want to use metal halides, I just want to run this tank more efficiently than it was previously. So, it sounds like the ice cap ballast can't be use to run four lamps that are four foot in length a piece like you can with VHO. What do you think would be better? __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

11/06/2006, 12:46 AM	#11
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	You can run 4 4 foot T5's, those are the 54 watt lamps. You can only run three of the 60" 80 watt lamps on the 660. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

11/06/2006, 01:31 AM	#12
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	Thanks Grim. Well, if I get the T-5s and use a good reflector, will that be better than VHO? will I be able to keep a few sps with out much fuss? __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

11/06/2006, 01:36 AM	#13
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Oh hell yeah. 4x54 overdriven with IC reflectors will be enough light for anything you could put in a 55, SPS Clams Anemones. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

11/06/2006, 01:45 AM	#14
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	I think I am sold on the t-5s. How long do the bulbs last before you have to change them? Part of the reason I am asking is because I heard they last longer which is really nice because I hated having to shell out over a hundred bucks for a bunch of light bulbs. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

11/06/2006, 02:29 AM	#15
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	As long as you run a couple fans to keep the lamps from overheating you can probably get 18 months out of them safely __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

11/06/2006, 10:02 AM	#16
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	18 months? T-5s it is my friend. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

11/06/2006, 11:39 AM	#17
FullPull Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hawthorn PA Posts: 216	Grim, how would you compare 4 - 54w's with individuall reflectors driven by a 660 to the 5 light Aquactinics unit ?...have you been around one of their units yet to get an idea ? __________________ If Duct Tape wasn't meant to fix everything...Why can you get in so many @%#$@ colors !!!! Current Tank Info: 55 gl, 20 gl sump, GU10 Led, Reef Keeper lite, Modded CSS 125 Skimmer, Phosban Reactor, Mag 7 Return Pump, DIY Refugium

11/06/2006, 11:48 AM	#18
The Grim Reefer Ready for some NOBALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kingman Az Posts: 25,259	Got an Aquactinics unit on the way to test. They can't compete with an overdriven IC retro. __________________ America, the way it outta be! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire with Illudium Q-288 Photon Regurgitator DIY LED lighting

11/06/2006, 12:43 PM	#19
R.yumaDaddy? T5 ABUSER Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Easton, Pa / SUNY Morrisville Posts: 285	Any approximation on a t5 vho bulb release... before MACNA? __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but what about the early worm? Current Tank Info: 110 w/ custom 60 gallon in cabinet refugium / no skimmer