Bootlegger
New member
I'm a major DIY for Reef tanks and decided to stop lurking behind the shadows and share a basic but important experience with VHO lighting....starting with Icecap VHO Ballasts and T8 bulbs.
Pros:
1. With T8s on an Icecap VHO ballasts and you will see very good watt/lumen ratios (without fussing over PAR, LUX, etc). Maybe as good as T5s, especially the "Super T8s" (good luck finding them).
2. Good Lumen maintenance
3. Decent T8s are cheap and available in the Big Box Stores
Cons:
1. Icecap ballasts are rapid-start ballasts designed for igniting T12 form factors. T8s are designed for instant start ballasts. What does this mean? Bottom liine, don't be surprised when your T8 bulbs fail to light. When running the Icecap with maximum bulb load the Icecap ballast may not develope enough starting current to fire the bulbs - especially when the bulbs are cold (even more current required). In my case I've been running 3 x 4' T8s on a model 430 and the bulbs frequently failed to light during winter months. The solution to this is mix in a T12 or two or use thicker gauge wire when possible...reduces resistence. Possibly you'll have to run less and/or smaller bulbs. I'm sure there is a tweak involving larger capictors or re-programming the IC for better performance...but I don't have time to research this.
2. Bulbs run noticably hotter than their T12 cousins
3. Currently, less choices in Color Temps. May not find many choices of Aquarium variety at most LFS...actinic, 20000K, 7100K, etc.
FYI on T5 Ballasts:
Great ballasts to over-drive T8s or running PCs (even quads) - HO performance at a great Watt/Lumen ratio when T8s. Wiring 2x54 watt ballast for one bulb will give you 110-watt VHO performance using good T12s...and programmed start is much easier on the bulbs (especially when bulbs are cold - like in my basement). Find a 4-bulb T5 ballast and you've got an inexpensive VHO oportunity.
Concerning Quads, you can light four 27-watt quads with one 2x54 ballast, which is great for small tanks.
I'm not going to provide wiring instructions because there plenty to be found via Google.
Happy DIY.
Pros:
1. With T8s on an Icecap VHO ballasts and you will see very good watt/lumen ratios (without fussing over PAR, LUX, etc). Maybe as good as T5s, especially the "Super T8s" (good luck finding them).
2. Good Lumen maintenance
3. Decent T8s are cheap and available in the Big Box Stores
Cons:
1. Icecap ballasts are rapid-start ballasts designed for igniting T12 form factors. T8s are designed for instant start ballasts. What does this mean? Bottom liine, don't be surprised when your T8 bulbs fail to light. When running the Icecap with maximum bulb load the Icecap ballast may not develope enough starting current to fire the bulbs - especially when the bulbs are cold (even more current required). In my case I've been running 3 x 4' T8s on a model 430 and the bulbs frequently failed to light during winter months. The solution to this is mix in a T12 or two or use thicker gauge wire when possible...reduces resistence. Possibly you'll have to run less and/or smaller bulbs. I'm sure there is a tweak involving larger capictors or re-programming the IC for better performance...but I don't have time to research this.
2. Bulbs run noticably hotter than their T12 cousins
3. Currently, less choices in Color Temps. May not find many choices of Aquarium variety at most LFS...actinic, 20000K, 7100K, etc.
FYI on T5 Ballasts:
Great ballasts to over-drive T8s or running PCs (even quads) - HO performance at a great Watt/Lumen ratio when T8s. Wiring 2x54 watt ballast for one bulb will give you 110-watt VHO performance using good T12s...and programmed start is much easier on the bulbs (especially when bulbs are cold - like in my basement). Find a 4-bulb T5 ballast and you've got an inexpensive VHO oportunity.
Concerning Quads, you can light four 27-watt quads with one 2x54 ballast, which is great for small tanks.
I'm not going to provide wiring instructions because there plenty to be found via Google.
Happy DIY.
