IceCap 660's x2

[icantremember]

Anyone have 2 660's I could borrow for a weekend? I just setup my new lights and want to see how much of a difference overdriving the T5's make before I order 4 of them.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[tkeracer619]

With all of those T5's I would skip overdriving them. You will get more light but, you will get more heat and a considerably shorter bulb life.

With 8 individually reflectored T5's you don't need the extra light IMO

 

[superedge88]

That all depends on how high they sit off of the water, how deep the tank is...etc.
I overdrive my eight HO T5 bulbs on two Ice Cap 660 ballasts that light my 150 tall.

 

[tkeracer619]

I think with two 8 bulb fixtures he would be fine running them how he is. The picture in his gallery looks like it has awesome spread and penetration, I know its just a RC resolution photo but it gives some idea.

If you need more light then it's the obvious solution but I think the money could be better spent on flow, livestock, drygoods, or backup equipment at this point.

 

[rmougey]

I have a spare 660 that you could borrow, but it does not have a wiring harness.

-Rob

 

[icantremember]

Tank is 31" deep. I am going to be hosting acro's and need to have enough lighting for them and eventually some crocea and maxima clams. I would prefer not to run MH's if I can get enough light out of these T5's.

I could spend the money of livestock but I am trying to go slow. Don't need anymore flow - Hammerhead runs my returns and is dialed back to 1/4 of the available flow. Maybe a couple of VorTech's on a wireless controller in time. Already have a 25kW natural gas generator as a backup power source for my entire house, 2 spare 770 GPH Little Giant's, and another Hammerhead just in case.

Rob - thanks!

 

[tkeracer619]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11522936#post11522936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rmougey
it does not have a wiring harness.

I have one of those, but not all of the colors match up. The info needed to match the right wires up is in this thread. http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=18406

Already has a power cord installed.

 

[freddie40]

To be honest, I have 6 T5s on my 75 gallon (20" deep tank). 4 of the bulbs are overdriven and all 6 bulbs use TEK reflectors. I am getting a par of 260 in the sandbed.

For a 31" deep tank I don't think T5's will be able to give you enough light, no matter if they are overdriven, better reflectors, ect. I personally think that T5's shouldn't be used in tanks deeper than 24", esp if you want to keep acros.

Dave

 

[superedge88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11629856#post11629856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by freddie40
To be honest, I have 6 T5s on my 75 gallon (20" deep tank). 4 of the bulbs are overdriven and all 6 bulbs use TEK reflectors. I am getting a par of 260 in the sandbed.

For a 31" deep tank I don't think T5's will be able to give you enough light, no matter if they are overdriven, better reflectors, ect. I personally think that T5's shouldn't be used in tanks deeper than 24", esp if you want to keep acros.

Dave

I'm growin acros near my sandbed in my 31" tall tank... No problems here.

 

[freddie40]

Superedge,

What kind of reflectors are you using. Do you know what your par is?

Dave

 

[superedge88]

I'm using the Ice Cap reflectors, 8 48" T5s, no idea what my PAR values are, I don't have a PAR meter.

 

[jwhyne]

Dave,

Does D.A.R.C. still have a light meter to loan out?

Mike

 

[mhaith]

I just borrowd the light meter yesterday and measured on my 210 84X24X24 with 12 T5's in individual Ice Cap reflectors 6 inches above the water. I blew about a 300 6" from the top and about a 180 on the 2" sandbed.
I have a thread going in the Lighting Forum asking what the PAR should be and got an intelligent answer of 500-300. "PAR Rule of Thumb".
I have come to the conclusion that in order to get enough light with a T5 set-up to get the color and growth I want (at least in my tank), I need to overdrive at least some of the bulbs.