Carl November 3, 2007 Share November 3, 2007 What would you use on a 75 if you had to choose between the two? IceCap Ballast 660 with 4 bulbs - FR 48T12/VHO (not sure how many watts this is???) (All of these would go on and off at the same time each day - one ballast) or 4 bulbs x 96w Power Compacts. (Each of the bulbs has it's own ballast, and can turn on/off individually) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesbuf November 3, 2007 Share November 3, 2007 (edited) I would definitely not go with PCs. I'd go with VHO for actinics and either T5 or MH for your 10K-15K range. Edited November 5, 2007 by jamesbuf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grav November 4, 2007 Share November 4, 2007 Given the 2 options listed, I would say the VHOs would far out perform the PCs. 4 ft VHOs are rated at 110w, I'm not sure if the icecap would truly overdrive them as they do with other lower wattage bulbs. It isn't the watts so much (just another 14 per bulb) but the better color of the VHOs. That said, you would do even better with 4 t-5s and if you are going the icecap 660-009 rout, it is the same amount of work, just a few $ more for the single bulb reflectors. 4*96w pcs wouldn't be bad either on a 75. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl November 4, 2007 Author Share November 4, 2007 (edited) That said, you would do even better with 4 t-5s and if you are going the icecap 660-009 rout, it is the same amount of work, just a few $ more for the single bulb reflectors. I assume then, it is possible to get new harnessing, and change my icecap 660 to work with t-5's? -Carl Edited November 4, 2007 by Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rioreef November 4, 2007 Share November 4, 2007 T5 is my choice. To use the IC 660, no new wiring. Just need new waterproof endcaps for T5's and wire them up. With the bulbs make sure to get quality individual reflectors. IceCap make good ones. The IC 660 will 'overdrive' the T5's. A 65w T5 bulb will be at about 85w. T5 live span is reduced from about 18 months to 12 months, this is not a bad thing in my book for the extra lighting. I have this going on my setup and SPS, LPS, Clams, and softies thrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw November 4, 2007 Share November 4, 2007 (edited) I agree with the T5 choice. However, I would go with VHO for actinic supplementation. You could use an IC660 to overdrive 4 T5 bulbs (I'd go with 2 daylight and 2 blue plus) and get a small workhorse ballast to drive 2 actinic VHOs......like this ballast: http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=17825 Edited November 4, 2007 by steveoutlaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl November 5, 2007 Author Share November 5, 2007 (edited) Grav, Byron, and others have suggested that I could reuse my ballasts to go t-5 as well. I guess I'll be going that direction, and getting the new endcaps at BRK next time I'm up that direction. Thanks for your help GRAV Steve and rioreef Edited November 5, 2007 by Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason the filter freak November 5, 2007 Share November 5, 2007 The T5's are just the way to go, nice and sexy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grav November 5, 2007 Share November 5, 2007 Hey, it was my idea :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl November 5, 2007 Author Share November 5, 2007 Hey, it was my idea :( Prior post updated!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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