Icecap T5 ballasts vs others

[BowieReefer84]

1. Do you feel icecap 660's and 430's are better than the other T5 ballasts? If so why? If not why?

 

2. How long do you feel T5 bulbs driven on iceap last? On others?

 

Trying to decide which to go with.

 

Thanks,

Mike

[BowieReefer84]

No love for a T5 question?

[surf&turf]

I was wondering the same thing, I run 4 on a 660 ballast.

[Coral Hind]

This is just my opinion, I don't feel they are any better. First off they were not designed to run T5's but instead designed to run T12-VHO, they just happen to work with the newer T5's. They do overdrive the bulbs but so will a standard T5 ballast if you wire it up to.

 

Overdriving a lamp will get you a higher light output but the filaments or electrodes at the ends of the bulbs will wear out faster which causes a shorter life span, not by much though. The bulbs will run hotter so keep that in mind if the bulbs are enclosed. The ends of the overdriven bulb runs much hotter so the end caps can burn out faster.

 

If you already have an IceCap ballast then I say use it but if you need to buy new ballasts then I would go with something else that is normally much cheaper and drives the bulbs to specification.

[rioreef]

I had an IceCap 660 since Feb 2005 running on four 54w T5's. It just failed a few weeks ago. It does overdrive the 54w to around the mod 80s in wattage if I recall from my initial searches and are very bright. Don't keep corals too close to them as I saw my colors decrease in this situation. However, this ballast will help push more usable light to lower portions of your tank.

 

I was on a schedule of replacing the bulbs every 12 months. Cooling should be directed at the ends of the bulbs for best performance.

 

Here is a link to the Grim Reefers home page for info on T5s and discusses overdriving and the IC 660.

[BowieReefer84]

Yea, Grim was hating on the icecap ballasts over on RC. That is why I came here for further advice from those I trust most.

 

My "tank" is only 22" deep, and I don't need the penetration power I don't think...

 

Decisions decisions...

 

 

[hypertech]

If you do get it, don't buy an ice cap. Buy one that is currently manufactured. I think Coral Vue picked up the line of ballasts.

[rioreef]

Now that I have gone from two ballasts for my 6 bulb to three (two each) this will give me more control of the lighting schedule from dawn to dusk.

[Coral Hind]

Now that I have gone from two ballasts for my 6 bulb to three (two each) this will give me more control of the lighting schedule from dawn to dusk.

What brand / model are you using?

[BowieReefer84]

I bought a used fixture for a great deal that has icecap ballasts. Trying to decide if I should go ahead and keep them or get something like a advance T5 ballast for longer bulb life, and less heat.

 

I am not worried about buying new Advance ballasts, as they don't cost much at all imo. I could prob even sell the icecaps for a few bucks to offset the purchase.

 

My main concern was getting the longest bulb life possible.

 

I am pretty set on switching out the icecaps at this point.

 

I have been reading a lot, and it seems easy enough to change the ballasts out.

 

 

[Coral Hind]

How long is the fixture?

[BowieReefer84]

How long is the fixture?

 

48"

 

It is this http://www.aquactinics.com/pages/Solar_Flare.php fixture...

[Coral Hind]

Just asking because I have two balasts for T5HO 80w 5' lamps I could give you but they are too long for that fixture.

[rioreef]

What brand / model are you using?

 

The two I got to replace my 660 are the ATI replacement ballasts listed at Reef Geek. Note that these are the ballast only. No wiring or power cord. I was able to use the wiring from my 660 and just had to get my own power cord.

[BowieReefer84]

The two I got to replace my 660 are the ATI replacement ballasts listed at Reef Geek. Note that these are the ballast only. No wiring or power cord. I was able to use the wiring from my 660 and just had to get my own power cord.

 

 

Is there a wiring diagram provided on that ballast to drive the bulbs? Was it easy to do the swap?

 

Why not use your existing power cord?

 

Thanks!