Hellolights T5 Retro Fit

they work great for what they are but their ballast doesn't overdrive the bulbs like an IceCap will so if you're after that extra 'Punch' then get the IC setup.

kc
 
It drives the bulbs at higher than their nominal wattage. For the 54 watt 48" T5, the Ice Cap 430 or 660 E-ballasts will drive them at 85 watts. You dont need it unless you maybe need more light from less bulbs due to space limitations. Or maybe you don't want to change an existing set-up, or build a new canopy so you can get some extra light output by changing to the IC ballast. The bulbs will generate more heat and don't last quite as long when overdriven. Also, the experts suggest making sure that you use a fan to blow air on the end caps to help cooling if you are overdriving the bulbs.
 
an IC 660 will drive 4x 54w T5s at 80w each, a 430 will do the same with a 2x 54w setup, with the hellolights ballast you're only gonna get 54w out of the bulbs.

overdriving gives you allot more light/par then not overdriving, it does shorten bulb life but placing a fan to move air across the bulbs helps there and makes the difference marginal.

if you're keeping softies the regular setup would suffice, if you want higher light demanding specimens you get more light from the same number of bulbs with the IC overdriving them.

kc
 
I am currently keeping softies with much success with my PC. Was hoping to move into some SPS with the 4 x 54W T5. As I understood it, with indicividual reflectors, it would be much more light than the PC, without overdriving.
 
i am looking into the same lighting setup for my tank. it would only be suplemental lighting though. would i need to overdrive them for that?
 
it's just personal choice, if you want the most light you can get from the bulbs then get the IC 660/430 and overdrive them, if not then you don't have to they'll do great without overdriving. when you find that you wish you had more light and you're maxed out with the number of bulbs you can fit into your setup then ODing the bulbs is a huge benefit that far outweighs the small life expectancy loss from the bulbs.

kc
 
A few more questions here....
1) can the 430 Power 2x 54w T5's?
I ask as I want to control the actinics & day bulbs separately, so I would get two 430's.
2) To overdrive the bulbs, do I stick with the 54W or do I have to use higher wattage bulbs?
3) Where's the best source for a retrofit kit for a 48" hood that comes with reflectors, bulbs, ballasts, end caps, heat sinks, kitchen sink, etc?
 
1: yes, it's the preferred ballast for a 2x 54w setup.

2: Yes you use regular bulbs, the ballast is what overdrives them, all 48" T5s should be 54w.

3: Reefgeek.com

kc
 
Hmmm... (2) 2x54W T5 set up ($500) is much more expensive than (1) 4x54w T5 ($350).
Is there room on a 55 gallon tank to have 4x54W T5's and two 55W PC's?
 
i don't see why you'd even want the PCs, the 4x 54w will be more then plenty of light and you get the desired coloration You want from your choice of bulbs.

kc
 
The only reason is that I wanted to is that I like the look of my tank with only the actinics running. It's not possible to do that with 4 bulbs running on a single 660, right?
 
You dont need an overdriven setup for a 55G. A quality 4 bulb setup will work very well. Check out ReefGeek.com. They have a 4 bulb kit for $300 with good lamps.
ReefGeek.com
 
no you can't setup a dusk/dawn with a 660 running 4 bulbs. you'll find it's gonna be hard to stuff the PCs in there and not block the T5's though.

kc
 
If you are dead set on overdriving the lamps, you need to go with two IC 430's to split the bulbs in pairs. That's going to cost you more but it will give you what you want.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10082208#post10082208 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davefan13
i am looking into the same lighting setup for my tank. it would only be suplemental lighting though. would i need to overdrive them for that?
Click to expand...
no, I would not overdrive them on a 29 or a 55g unless you want only SPS and clams. lower light corals will probably not react well, even after acclimation...


t5ho when overdriven will need to be repalced at a rate 2x as fast as normally driven t5s. 1 year for OD and 2 for reg driven.
 
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