Overdriving T5s

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What do you guys think about overdriving t5 bulbs. And what kind of life do you get out of them and are they that much brighter when overdriven. Thanks

 

[mojo~]

Not suggested. Only if you have a really deep tank 30 inches or more would I even think about it. OVerdriving t5's will chnge the color spectrum slightly and you will be changing bulbs every 6 to 8months. Not to mention the extra heat and you really have to make sure you dont melt down your end caps. Keep pleanty of cooling. T5's are strong enough with good reflectors that you dont ned to overdrive them.

 

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So should i just use 2 icecap 430 to run four bulbs.Cause i seen that one icecap 660 will overdrive four bulbs. or what ballest should i use. And were is a good place to buy good reflectors. Thanks

 

[mojo~]

Check out reefgeek.com Great place to buy t5 stuff from. Aquatinic reflectors are on of the best for par. ice cap are in the middle for par and spread and tek give best spread but less par. All three are great. I like the aquatinics myself. 2 in wide.

You can use advance ballast. That would be a great choice. Even the best t5 fixtures like the ATI powermodule and sunpower do NOT over drive the bulbs. And they are par monsters.

 

[Fireworm]

I used work horse ballasts after I got rid of the IC660 for my T5s. I like the color so much better after not over driving the bulbs. Jade in the club has a T5 fixture for sale.

 

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I just said hell with the t5s and ordered 2 250watt 14000k retro metal halides. I just was never completely happy with the look of t5s. Thats why i was asking about overdriving them to see if they looked better.So im hoping the new lights are what im looking for in the way they look. I mite add 2 t5s later. My tank is 18 inches deep and i can only get the lights about 9 maybe 10 inches off th water think that will be ok.