lighting

[fishfogg]

Just wondering, has anyone looked into the idea, of running 2 or 3 660 watt ice cap ballasts in a home build canopy, or would it be still just not be enough compared to the metal halaide.



fishfogg

[Invigor]

if you were wanting to do something like that to save some serious cash, I would go the T5 route.

I've never used an icecap 660, but since their max output is 440 watts it should be able do 8 HO t5 lamps. a high output t5 is only 54w and puts out more light than it's compeditor, the 110w VHO. You would have to handyman your own wiring due to 4 wires on the ballast for 8 bulbs, but hey, that's easy.

T5s put out more light than VHOs and burn MUCH cooler.

if you don't already own the IC 660 ballast, you could opt for 2 workhorse 7 ballasts as they're far cheaper than icecaps.

the WH7 max output is only 220w, but is wired for t5s.

i've been balancing the thought of running t5s, but I decided to go with MH for the only reason that it's easier to ship 2 MH bulbs than 8 48" long fluorescent tubes..and at the time, I could get my MH bulbs locally, whereas I haven't found any place that will bring in T5 lights yet.

[pegger]

If you go with the ice cap 660, you'll only be able to run 4 - 4 footers(54w)

or 3 - 5 footers. With the workhorse, not sure what exactly they can run, but I'd be sure to check it out, they can run T5's but I've heard, that if you run VHO's sometimes they can overheat and catch fire, I've heard some bad stories, and have heard of some people having no problems with it. Also Jayson sells Triad ballasts which are for the T5 system.

[Invigor]

If you go with the ice cap 660, you'll only be able to run 4 - 4 footers(54w)

wow. doesn't make sense, but I guess it's true. thumbs down for icecap.

[muck]

If you want to run 8 - 54W HO T5s pickup 2 workhorse 7 ballasts.
Its probably even cheaper than 1 Icecap 660.

[Rentaltux]

From the research I did when light shopping and the VHO verses T5 thing that has been beat to death the only people that are claiming T5's being brighter are ones that haven't test the actual light output. The people that have actually test with light meters say that VHO's win hands down. I guess thats why 110 W VHO is "VERY HIGH OUTPUT" and the 54W T5 is only "HIGH OUTPUT" Not to mention the VHO actinic is much nicer IMHO. To be even comparable the T5's need the special individual reflectors and at the end of the day there is very little if any cost savings. I got 4 110W VHO and haven't looked back. My softies & LPS are growing amazingly. Just my 2 cents!

R :crazy:

[Cutter]

Does anyone know how much these ballasts are worth?

[Rentaltux]

Does anyone know how much these ballasts are worth?

Workhorse 7
http://AquariaCanada.com/osCommerce/product_info.php?cPath=1_74_89_124&products_id=430

Icecap 660
http://AquariaCanada.com/osCommerce/product_info.php?cPath=1_74_89_124&products_id=731

[Cutter]

Thanks for the lnks.

Now who knows where the cheapest place to by the glorious T5 bulbs from.

[Cutter]

My english is so very cruch. lol

Great sentence structure.........

[DA-MAN]

aquaria canada had some 4 footers on ebay.ca or .com

for about 20 bucks a bulb




:smily313:

[Invigor]

J&L has good pricing on T5s, SWC sells t5s, but I don't know his prices. He also sells retrofit kits for a fair price, they include the ballast/bulbs/endcaps and reflectors.

as for the t5 vs vho debate: for the cost of input versus cost of output, VHO doesn't stand close.

next time any of you are in home depot, look up at the lights and tell me what you see ;) Petland uses t5s as well

[Jayson]

I have used T5 lights for over 2 years. i used to use VHO. I can tell you the differece. T5 is much brighter for the power! to gain the most you have to use a reflecter. On a proper reflecter you can gain almost 300% light output! certain ballast perform better than others. I can tell you that Ice Cap works fine if the ballast are upgraded. the triad kits work good if you pick the right ballast. the Work Horses I do not like!.Bulbs also make a difference. there is alot of cheap bulbs out there that do not have the proper color spectrum or the long term reliability. i have tried about 15 different types of bulbs. My knowledge is first hand and not based on guesses. I have another 40 T5 kits coming this week. If you are interested in a complete unit or a retro kit email me for prices. thanks

[Cutter]

Hey Jayson which brand of T5s do you stock and what is the price for 10000k and actinics As well do they make a 50/50 bulb? I think i heard someone might??????

[Invigor]

what do you mean by an upgraded icecap?

[Jayson]

Cutter i carry CVand SLS. please email me for pricing. the Ice caps have to be upgraded or they will blow up after awhile. the upgrade has to be done by them. it involves charging some power supply components. thanks