what type of ballast for these T-5's

Snarkys · #1 03/24/2005, 08:13 AM

looking at making my own fixture with 15 X 80W T5's. what ballast should i use.

Snarkys · #2 03/25/2005, 10:17 AM

well now that i look at it i guess i need to run 16.

should i just get 4 X IceCap 430 or is there a better option for these lights. like 660's , triad or workhorses ?

also it sais that the icecap 440 runs 320W of power but only 12 feet of bulbs. is the 12 feet correct ?

sjm817 · #3 03/25/2005, 11:46 AM

Man, you are looking at a ton of $$ with a 16 bulb setup! Does budget matter? Even the 660 will only drive (3) 80W bulbs overdriven to ~ 100W each. The 430 will drive 2 bulbs each. So you are looking at (8) 430s or (6 ) 660s. I dont think Universal or Fulham has a ballast for 80W bubs, but I could be wrong there.

tampa-reefer · #4 03/25/2005, 12:00 PM

Wow, what a setup..... I think 660's, but that alot of money. Mabe they can give you a deal for buying so many. Just asking, what is this for/tank size?

Ti · #5 03/25/2005, 12:46 PM

That is a lot of t5.
What are the dimensions of this tank indeed.

Snarkys · #6 03/25/2005, 01:01 PM

4'x5'

sjm817 · #7 03/25/2005, 01:34 PM

Hmm. How about putting them the "short way" and use 4' 54W bulbs? Ballast options open up a lot more. There is a Triad ballast that will run (4) 54W bulbs not overdriven.

It also would allow you to use SLS hoods. You could use 3 of the 8 x 54W hoods. The SLS New Wave hoods are a bit cheaper than the TEK hoods.

You'd have to price out all the different configs and see what would work.

Snarkys · #8 03/25/2005, 01:50 PM

hmm interesting thought.

I could get three of the eight bulb 19 inch by 48 inch fixtures from here for 350 each plus bulb cost. would have the same amount of watts.

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104074.html

this might really be a better bet. not sure why I didnt think of this before . this forum is so much help to me every day ....

Snarkys · #9 03/25/2005, 01:53 PM

this retro kit runs 8x80W with two icecap ballasts, an ice cap 440 and a 660. think i could run 18 then with three 660's?

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104074.html

Snarkys · #10 03/25/2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm817

It also would allow you to use SLS hoods. You could use 3 of the 8 x 54W hoods. The SLS New Wave hoods are a bit cheaper than the TEK hoods.

never seen the newwave hoods. ill have to look around and see if i can find one . only ones i can seem to find are from hyrdopinic stores and cost a fortune.

john rochon · #11 03/25/2005, 02:57 PM

why??? go with some MH lamps and a few T5 for actinics.

Snarkys · #12 03/25/2005, 03:06 PM

cost is about the same either way . I'm going to have two 7 inch tall propagation tanks going soon and i am going to try one with four 250w HQI's and one with a large amount of T'5's and see what has the best growth results.

I know that the MH penetrates the water much better but there really isn't much water to penetrate here and i think its possible the better spread of light that the t'5s give may have better growth rates.

its this a stupid idea and i should just go with the MH right off the bat ?

sjm817 · #13 03/25/2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Snarkys
this retro kit runs 8x80W with two icecap ballasts, an ice cap 440 and a 660. think i could run 18 then with three 660's?

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104074.html

It has 3 ballasts. (2) 660 and (1) 430. A 660 will drive (3) 80W @ 100W or (4) 54W @ 80W.

Give Greg @ Reefgeek a call and talk to him. I bet he could get you the New Wave, or set up a retro for you. He also has MH setups. I would run what you are doing by him and see what he can do for you.

Snarkys · #14 03/25/2005, 05:46 PM

i think i have all but ruled out the 80W bulbs because it would be so much cheaper to lay them the other way and use the 4foot SLS fixtures.

is the new wave or retro really cheaper than $350 for a 8x54w set up without bulbs ?

Snarkys · #15 03/25/2005, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm817
It has 3 ballasts. (2) 660 and (1) 430. A 660 will drive (3) 80W @ 100W or (4) 54W @ 80W.

the tek 5 fixture from SLS uses a titan ballast i think . I assume it does not overdrive them . how much more light do you get for the extra 20ish Watts you are pumping into them and are you shortening the lifespan of the bulbs ?

do you think its worth the extra money spent when you can get the SLS fixture for $350 and the two 660 icecaps will be like $320 plus caps$80 ,mounts$64, fans$40 , reflectors $140 and whatever you attach it all to . so over $640

zapata41 · #16 03/25/2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

I know that the MH penetrates the water much better

not true, overdriven t5s with slr reflectors have 52% more PAR at 18" water depth than mh. test was with 6x54w t5 overdriven with 660 ballast and slr reflectors mounted 3 1/2" above water, mh's were 150w 20K DE HQI at 4 1/8" above water.
read the Great glarathon thread, this is were grim reefer posted him test and results.

DtheDude · #17 03/25/2005, 08:52 PM

Aslo keep in mind that the test was done w/ 150 watt bulbs, I think a 250 watt MH would match the PAR of T5s, especially at depths over 20 inches. But I agree that on a 7 inch tank t5's are a good way to go.

zapata41 · #18 03/25/2005, 09:14 PM

true true, but how deep is the tank he has, 4'x5' is fine for surface size, if we had a depth that might help too.

just go with some 660 (or URI A4, cheaper and work fine despite what everyone says about them only being able to run VHO bulbs since vho and t5 are still flor. bulbs; i run a A4 with no problems and it runs cold to the touch) ballasts, 1 for every 4 bulbs and some icecap slr reflectors, bult a simple little canopy and you are done.

Tim

sjm817 · #19 03/25/2005, 09:25 PM

For only 7" deep I would not go the overdriven route. The normal 54W power is overkill. The 4 lamp Triad ballast part is B454PUNV-E. I dont know where you can get them though. I think for simplicity, the ready made hoods would be a good bet. For cost,
Adding it up, it looks like...

An 8 bulb retro is $650 inc bulbs x 3 = $1950. That is with 2 lamp Triads. Maybe with the 4 lamp Triad it would be cheaper. I wouldn't want 12 ballasts to deal with. 6 is bad enough.

The 8 lamp TEK hood is $420 which includes 4 daylight bulbs x 3 = $1260. You would need 12 more bulbs. The GE sun bulbs are cheap @ $12. I think for prop you can use all sun/daylight bulbs?? If so, add $145 total = $1405.

If you went with all sun on the retro, it would also be cheaper by probably $300 or so. Maybe $1600 for the setup.

The hood seems a lot easier and cheaper.

Call Reefgeek and go through it with them. MH may be a better way to go.

Ti · #20 03/25/2005, 09:35 PM

definately no need to overdrive for 7".
hang a few of the SLS fixtures and I'd say job done, otherwise there is the retro route.
Is this gonna be an SPS grow tank?

horkn · #21 03/25/2005, 09:36 PM

yeah, mh may be a better route in this instance.. but if you want t5 ho retro fits, the DIY ones from aqualuxlighting.com are about the most frugal way you can do it and actually have good lights..

but you are going to spend a lot on this project anyways...

Snarkys · #22 03/25/2005, 11:20 PM

thanks for your help all i think im going to go with the tek 5 fixture from SLS . this cost the least and will do the job i think

Ti · #23 03/27/2005, 01:46 AM

Don't underestimate the SLS T5.
I keep clams and SPS with it.

zapata41 · #24 03/27/2005, 02:12 PM

not underestimating them just saying that the slr's are better

Tim

Ti · #25 03/27/2005, 07:03 PM

SLR is better indeed.
BUT I'm bleaching LPS with SLS in 18" deep.
My LPS needed to take refuge in shade from the SLS.
His tank will be very shallow to it'll be way overkill to Overdrive it.
Great for SPS though!