Let's See Some T5 Only Lite Tanks (remember Just T5 Lite Tanks) :-)

[The Grim Reefer]

On a 28" tall tank a standard Tek fixture is going to limit you. Even a hot rodded retrofit is going to limit you to medium light critters on the bottom at best. I would want good 250 watt double ended halides at least. If the tank is only 4 feet long you only need two lamps which keeps the price down considerably. If you get the canopy you could save a lot by using retrofit halides if there is room. you might get away without running a chiller if you vent the top and run a couple of fans.

 

[DtheDude]

The Ice Cap is able to run the lamps at a higher power than standard ballasts so they are brighter. A 54 watt lamp is pushed to 80 watts and due to the starting method and frequency the lamps are powered at it doesn't affect lamp life.

Grim Reefer, is there anything "special" you have to do in order to get them to overdrive like this, or will they do this automatically as long as you are using an Ice Cap ballast?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

You just hook em up and they take care of the rest.

 

[RedEyeReef]

GIMMIE

The Ice Cap is able to run the lamps at a higher power than standard ballasts so they are brighter. A 54 watt lamp is pushed to 80 watts and due to the starting method and frequency the lamps are powered at it doesn't affect lamp life.

Do you know what the Ice Cap will run the 36" 39 watt T5 at?

 

[horkn]

Do you know what the Ice Cap will run the 36" 39 watt T5 at?

simple math tells me 57.77 watts for a 39watt overdriven the same amount that a 54 watt gets overdriven to 80 watts...

but i may be wrong:fish1:

 

[Obi-dad]

simple math tells me 57.77 watts for a 39watt overdriven the same amount that a 54 watt gets overdriven to 80 watts...

but i may be wrong:fish1:

I think Icecap says the 54w is overdriven to approx 85w, and it may not be exactly linear to calculate other bulb wattages. I would search the Icecap forum, I think they have answered this question there before.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

I judt saw this in the Ice Cap forum. It is 60 watts per lamp. Someone had posted 70 in a thread somewhere but this came directly from Ice Cap. 3 80 watt lamps are driven to 100 each I think. I don't think there is a simple formula to figure it out. It seems the 54's get the biggest boost.

 

[horkn]

well it may not be a simple formula, but if its 60 watts, i am darn close

 

[JVHam]

Here is a question then. Are 4 37watt T5's on an icecap ballast produce more light than 4 95watt VHO's
VHO = 380watts
T5 = 148watts(under icecap about 240 watts)

Also the tank I have is 21in deep(19in to sandbed)

 

[JVHam]

Also does anyone on this thread keep clams under t5s

 

[Obi-dad]

I keep a squamosa. Before he switched from T5s to MH, Moonpod was keeping the higher light clams.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Here is a question then. Are 4 37watt T5's on an icecap ballast produce more light than 4 95watt VHO's
VHO = 380watts
T5 = 148watts(under icecap about 240 watts)

Also the tank I have is 21in deep(19in to sandbed)

4X39 WATT t5'S. On an Ice Cap they are supposed to run about 60 watts. There is a thread in the Ice Cap forum where a guy did PAR measurments of T5 vs. PC. He measured an Ice Cap 4x54 watt T5 vs a 4x65 watt PC system. PC's are supposed to put out a little more light than VHO. At six inches of air the T5's had double the PAR of the PC's and it got worse for the PC's from there. Not a really sceintific test but if it was honest it demonstrates just how good these systems are. This guy was using the full IC system which also includes the reflectors.

I assume your VHO's are three foot. I would be willing to bet the will give you a little more light but it is really a matter of is it enough more to justify the cost. If you are happy with the VHO's it might not be worth it. According to Ice Cap VHO bulbs last about as long as a T5 running on their ballasts, 18 to24 months. If that is the case there really isn't any advantage to the T5 cost wise. If you are looking for a different color in the lighting then it would be a good idea. I would pose the question in the Ice Cap forum, they will shoot you straight.

As for clams I keep a Crocea on the sand in my 24" tall tank and it is doing fine and actually coloring up. Check out RJWILSONS tank in thread "T5 lights might be for you" I think he has 4 clams in his tank. He is running a standard 4x39 watt system

 

[dsp78213]

Also does anyone on this thread keep clams under t5s

I have a Derasa and it seems happy.

Jim

 

[JVHam]

dsp78213

What is your lighting setup?

 

[brentp]

Also does anyone on this thread keep clams under t5s

Clams and SPS.

 

[RedEyeReef]

brentp,

How many & which T5 bulbs do you have and how high is the light from your lowest clam?

 

[Ti]

check them out here. They are in stock at RG

http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104589.html

$60?!
Just for brakcets!
That is ridiclous.

 

[FastUno]

There is no question about clams & T5's. People are having success with them in PC lit tanks.

 

[dsp78213]

dsp78213

What is your lighting setup?

I have a 4x54w retrofit into my canopy driven by an IceCap 660.

The lights are as follows (from front to back):

ATI Blue+
ATI Sun 6500K
ATI Aquablue 11,000K
ATI Blue+

Jim

 

[Ti]

What are you all usng to prop up your T5 fixtures?
Those brackets are pretty pricey.