Question for the expert RE: Icecap 660

[RedfordReefer]

Hello!

I am upgrading my ARO ballasted, VHO setup to an Icecap 660 with four 48" T5HOs.

What I am wondering is;

Do I order 48" T5HO bulbs at 54W, or do I order T5HO bulbs at 80w?

What's the difference? If I order the 80w bulbs, will they last a bit longer than the 54w overdriven?

Thanks Steve for any info you have.

[Steven Pro]

The 660 will operate your 54 watt T5's to about 80 watts each. I have not seen anyone market their 4' T5 lamps as 80 watts. But, you want to stay will quality brands. The American made lamps (IceCap for instance) and German ones seems to hold up well on the 660.

[RedfordReefer]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/Giesemann/80W_11000K_Aquablue_Plus_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_Gies emann

Says 80w.

I am sooo very clueless.

[iyachtuxivm]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/Giesemann/80W_11000K_Aquablue_Plus_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_Gies emann

Says 80w.

I am sooo very clueless.

Those are 60" bulbs not 48". 60" are an 80w bulb and as I am not Steven I dont know all the overdriven wattages but I think those would be overdriven also.
While we are on this subject, Steven could you list some of the par outputs of the 48" icecap bulbs on a 660?
Also I am having a hard time getting a true color temp with the 660 everything seems to go whiter. Do you know if the icecap bulbs do this too?
Sorry to jump in like this Redford but thought you may like this info too.

[ReeferRob]

A 660 can only drive up to 240 watts it says.

[Poseidon]

I ran 6 T5's all overdriven on my 90, and yes I had to use 2 ballasts. The 660 can drive 4 T5's, 48" bulbs or 3 T5's in the 60" bulbs. For the other 2 I used a 430 which also overdrives the lamps.

An easy way for me to understand it was the IceCap ballasts force feed power into the lamps, increasing output by about 30% I think. It also requires you to actively cool the lamps, via fans.

Yes, I also noticed that my Blue + lamps were a tad whiter then ones that were not overdriven, however that worked out for me as I liked the color. :D

[Steven Pro]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/Giesemann/80W_11000K_Aquablue_Plus_T5_HO_Fluorescent_by_Gies emann

Says 80w.

I am sooo very clueless.

Those are 5' lamps, not 4'. By the way, a 660 can operate up to three 5' lamps. Those 5' lamps would be driven to about 100 watts on the 660.

[Steven Pro]

Also I am having a hard time getting a true color temp with the 660 everything seems to go whiter. Do you know if the icecap bulbs do this too?

Here is some information on our T5 lamps,
http://www.icecapinc.com/t5-lamps

And, here are some descriptions of their appearances:

Actinic - A 420 nm peak and will appear a bright blue with an IceCap ballast. It is made to maximize coral fluorescence and in general will really make livestock colors pop. It can also be used for dawn/dusk applications.

Twilight - A rich, royal blue lamp with a peak around 460 nm when used with an IceCap ballast. It is great for bringing out the best colors in fishes and corals as well as for simulating dawn/dusk effects.

Deepwater 14,000 K - A white lamp with a strong blue component when used in conjunction with an IceCap ballast. It is great for fish-only applications as well as reef displays focused on deeper water corals.

Midwater 12,000 K - A crisp white lamp with some subtle pink highlights when run on an IceCap ballast. The pink in the lamp helps bring out the reds and pinks in fishes, corals, and coralline algae.

Reef Crest 10,000 K - Designed for maximum growth of shallow water species. When operated with an IceCap ballast, it burns a bright white much like the warm sun of the tropics.

[cephalotus]

Here is some information on our T5 lamps,
http://www.icecapinc.com/t5-lamps

And, here are some descriptions of their appearances:

Actinic - A 420 nm peak and will appear a bright blue with an IceCap ballast. It is made to maximize coral fluorescence and in general will really make livestock colors pop. It can also be used for dawn/dusk applications.

Twilight - A rich, royal blue lamp with a peak around 460 nm when used with an IceCap ballast. It is great for bringing out the best colors in fishes and corals as well as for simulating dawn/dusk effects.

Deepwater 14,000 K - A white lamp with a strong blue component when used in conjunction with an IceCap ballast. It is great for fish-only applications as well as reef displays focused on deeper water corals.

Midwater 12,000 K - A crisp white lamp with some subtle pink highlights when run on an IceCap ballast. The pink in the lamp helps bring out the reds and pinks in fishes, corals, and coralline algae.

Reef Crest 10,000 K - Designed for maximum growth of shallow water species. When operated with an IceCap ballast, it burns a bright white much like the warm sun of the tropics.

Nice pull Steve.