Good T-5 Retro?
- Thread starter msch1999
- Start date
Henry Bowman
Reefing since '87
Go with IceCap. Ballasts and reflectors. You wont regret it ...ever !
+1 on the recommendation for the Icecaps. You will love it. I've since switched to metal halides, but had the Icecap retrofit kit from reefgeek before that - loved it. Just didn't like the lack of shimmer.
Having said that though - you mention this will be for a corner tank. How do you plan on configuring the bulbs to get good coverage for your corner tank?
Having said that though - you mention this will be for a corner tank. How do you plan on configuring the bulbs to get good coverage for your corner tank?
I'm in the process of building a light for a 40 breeder. Skip the Icecap, no need to burn out your bulbs prematurely while overdriving. Get the ATI reflectors with a good ballast, Sylvania, Triad etc. and some waterproof endcaps. With the money you save over the Icecap, buy a few Powerbrite led strips, you won't be dissapointed....
ksc does bring up a good point. If you don't need to overdrive your bulbs (which you will with the Icecap ballasts), then you shouldn't. When I used T5s, I was lighting a 90g (24" high) with only 4 T5s, so I wanted to overdrive to get as much light as possible.
Depending on what you're keeping in your tank, if you don't need lots of light, I agree with ksc - just get a normal ballast. Reefgeek has kits with normal T5HO ballasts (Universal Accustart), but don't think they carry the ATI reflectors. The Icecap SLR reflectors are still darn good, though.
Depending on what you're keeping in your tank, if you don't need lots of light, I agree with ksc - just get a normal ballast. Reefgeek has kits with normal T5HO ballasts (Universal Accustart), but don't think they carry the ATI reflectors. The Icecap SLR reflectors are still darn good, though.
budbreak96
New member
Do the icecap 660 kit. Enough light is better than not enough light. If you cool the bulbs correctly then they will last just as long as non overdriven bulbs. Its been proven.
You can order the ATI reflectors from Reefgeek, I just got mine. Basically I'm trying to replicate a Powermodule which is equal if not better than an Icecap retro. I'd imagine if you overdrive and use the ATI reflectors you could exceed the par of the Powermodule, but you don't need to. Where is the "proof" that overdriven bulbs last as long as ho driven bulbs? I doubt this is true...
msch1999
New member
I plan on "faning" so to speak 3 of the bulbs from the back corner out, and then the 4th bulb accross the front. I have a 210 mixed reef with HQI now, and plan on keeping some of the same type of coral in this tank. I was going to run another halide above the corner tank, but with the canopy, I figured there would be way too much trapped heat. Thanks for the all suggestions. To get the most light it sounds like I want the icecap ballast, with the ati reflectors correct?
gh0st
New member
The Icecap 660 and Reflectors will give you great light, and I highly recommend them.
Do plan on Fan cooling down the length of the bulbs however, to keep them running longer. With your proposed set up, a fan blowing in from the rear corner down the length of the bulbs, and a fan blowing across the front bulb should do the trick.
Do plan on Fan cooling down the length of the bulbs however, to keep them running longer. With your proposed set up, a fan blowing in from the rear corner down the length of the bulbs, and a fan blowing across the front bulb should do the trick.
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