Icecap 660 or 430?

[LISound]

I'm planning a tank upgrade in the next few months.

I want to put in a retro 6 bulb kit with 2 ballast HO T5

do i need 2 430's or 2 660's?

The tank will only be 30" long and 17 deep by 17 high. I plan to build these into a canopy with splash shield.

Would the 430's run 3 bulbs---I'm confused by the different ballasts.
What is the advantage of a 660 over a 430 since I'm not running any more than 24" bulbs.

 

[butrya03]

it depends on how much wattage you will be running. both can run up to 4 bulbs, but the 430's have a max wattage of 330w, and the 660 has a max of 440w. 24" in. t5's are 24watts right? if so 2 430's should work.

 

[Jay180reef]

Ya, 430 would be fine.

 

[ksc]

The 430 will only run 2 t-5 bulbs.

 

[rdelong]

I'd run three Advance Part Number 8502524 Ballasts at $44.95 a piece at hellolights and save some money. I have never been satisfied with Icecap ballast reliability. Just go to their forum on here and see how many people write in about failures.

 

[LISound]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14483525#post14483525 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rdelong
I'd run three Advance Part Number 8502524 Ballasts at $44.95 a piece at hellolights and save some money. I have never been satisfied with Icecap ballast reliability. Just go to their forum on here and see how many people write in about failures.

do these overdirve the bulbs as the icecap's? is there a major difference besides price. I always figure you get what you pay for.

 

[an411]

I would go with the ice cap I own 6 of there ballasts and I would probably not go with anything else. Me personally I would do the 660 cause that leaves room to upgrade to more bulbs if you want later on

 

[an411]

double post

 

[LISound]

good call Dan---now what are we going to talk about this weekend? LOL

 

[rdelong]

You can overdrive by using a 54W ballast also available from Hellolights at the same price with these bulbs. There are several lower cost more reliable electronic solutions also available if you do some research. Icecap is not the do all to be all for ballasts. The longer I'm in this hobby, the more apparent that becomes.

 

[LISound]

What am i looking for as far as the ballast goes. wattage?

 

[rdelong]

Send me your email address in a PM and I'll forward you a brochure.