2- 96w pc ballast.

[tat2z_21]

Can a PC ballast be converted to run t5's. Just wondering I am trying to decide if I want T5's for my new 180 gal tank. They will be supplemental lighting. I will have 3 250w 20k MH for the muscle. Or would people go with the old school VHO's. Any information out there would be nice.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

with m/h I like vho 12's not that same par but the colors you get on the coral will beat IMO out of supplement lighting for t5's

 

[tat2z_21]

I was thinking the same thing about the VHO's. I have several PC ballasts could I hook them up to run T12's. I know that normally the rating for the ballasts goes by length of tube so I figure If I ran 2 48" VHO's with the pc ballast it should run just fine. I could be wrong though

 

[fishoutofwater]

check the ballast to find brand name and look up the configuration. Usually yes you can. for instance a workhorse 7 ballast can run 2 x96w pc and/or 4 x 54w t-5 or 2x80w t-5. hope this helps.

 

[tat2z_21]

I will. So I know the rave is the ICECAP 660. Do you think this is something that should be bought or could I get away with the 4 96w ballasts I currently have (once I get the specs confirming it is possible). I have looked up the Icecap and it looks spectacular, and from all of the reviews it seems to be the most efficient. Well I guess I just answered my own question. But is there anything proving the efficiency in writing, and has there been tests.

 

[tat2z_21]

And if they are that much better does anyone have an extra one laying around. Maybe I should start a new thread.

 

[TJL]

The Icecap 660 is a lamp driver and not a ballast and I believe more efficient than a ballast (they overdrive the lamps) and also will allow you to run different size bulbs at the same time as long as they are the same ma rating ie; 2 @ 48" 110w VHO w/ 2 @ 36" 96w VHO, both bulbs are 1500 ma ideal in a corner tank where you could have a 48", 36" and 24" lamp all on one driver. This would also allow you to run one shorter lamp making room for LED's at the ends. I'm sure someone else has more technical info out there though.

Todd

 

[tat2z_21]

So I am currently debating, I have found a ARO VHO 220 which powers 2 48" t12's for 63.00, it comes with the waterproof endcaps and all necessary wires to correctly install. I was thinking of ordering 2 of these and off setting them to fit into the 72" hood I will be building

 

[TotalVapor]

Can a PC ballast be converted to run t5's. Just wondering I am trying to decide if I want T5's for my new 180 gal tank. They will be supplemental lighting. I will have 3 250w 20k MH for the muscle. Or would people go with the old school VHO's. Any information out there would be nice.

Yes, a ballast is a ballast in this case. If you have a PC ballast that is 96 watts you can run 96 watts of T-5's

I run T-5's for my sup lighting, but thinking of adding VHO.


How deep is your tank?
Is it a standard 180 gallon?
Are the 250W MH single or double ended?

Depending on the answers above you might be better off with a 15K light. 20K are nice but hard to get good growth if any at all. Most people that run the 20K bulbs have to run 2 or 3 more then those that run the 10k or 15k bulbs.

 

[TotalVapor]

I was thinking the same thing about the VHO's. I have several PC ballasts could I hook them up to run T12's. I know that normally the rating for the ballasts goes by length of tube so I figure If I ran 2 48" VHO's with the pc ballast it should run just fine. I could be wrong though

Icecap does my length most of the time it is by watts.

 

[tat2z_21]

I am running 3 250w 20k's and plan to switch to Pheonix 14k's here shortly. It will be a standard 180 gal. So I know that the halides will be sufficient.

 

[bigblue141]

Just fork out the Ca$h and go with an LED set up

Just playing...

VHO'S are more of a purple color, whereas the T-5's are and actual blue. The ballasts that came with my tank are only $30-35 to replace them.

 

[mfinn]

I'd go with VHO's.
I just swapped out my pc actinic for VHO actinic.
I bought the 454 actinic and I love the color. Huge difference.

 

[fishoutofwater]

UV brand t-5's have come out with a 454 actinic blue and they are sweet. nice and blue like the vho. its 85%454 and 15%420. also they came out with and indigo sun thats 13k.

 

[tat2z_21]

I think that I am going to go ahead with the VHO's. I wanted to see if I could use the PC ballasts to fire them but I think I am going to try and find a ICECAP 660.

 

[mfinn]

This what I just bought for my VHO actinic.
I also picked up the bulbs there as well.


http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=184

 

[lvsuckerfish]

there is a ICE cap 660 in the forsale area. I think VHO for supplement lighting is a good decision.

 

[TJL]

The Icecap 660 is a driver not a ballast, and can opperate different size lamps as long as they have the same ma rating. Most T12 - VHO's run 1500ma so you could run 48's on outside and 24's in between MH's or similar with the same Driver

Todd

 

[tat2z_21]

I will go and check it out. Thanks alot finn. I have been to that sight before. So is the ARO a decent brand for this application. Do they drive the bulbs good enough.

 

[mfinn]

Seem to work for many people, me included.
I'm sure doesn't have as many applications as a IceCap ( I own 5 different IceCap ballasts), but with that ARO ballast kit, there is everything included, mounts, endcaps, wire, wire nuts, except the bulbs, for less that a good used IceCap ballast alone.