Quote:
Originally Posted by TimeConsumer
I assume you already have both? If you're buying new I wouldn't do either as neither of them are true spec T5HO ballasts. A workhorse underdrives the bulbs and an icecap 660 overdrives them. Neither is optimal. If I had to choose between the two I would probably opt for the Icecap if you have the ability to actively cool them, otherwise I'd use the workhorde.
If you're buying new get an advance ballast.
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I do have both.
This actually took on some urgency last night. Currently I’m running 2X 250w Radiums + 3X 36W blue CFL. I had been running the CFLs from 8:00A to 7:00P and the halides for 4 hours mid day. Electric cost for the entire tank was about $100/ month; growth and color was very good. Then I started adding 1/2 hr of halide here and there and heard nothing from 556wife about the bill. Last month I added 1.5 hrs to the halides and the bill went up $150
I dropped the halides down to 4 hrs last night!
It was blues 7:00A-10:30A halide 10:30A-4:00P, blues 4:00P-5:00P
108w * 4.5H =.486KWH + 550W * 5.5H = 3.025KWH = 3.5KWH/day. $36/month
Now I’s back to blues 7:00A-11:00A halide 11:00A-3:00P, blues 3:00P-5:00P
108w * 6h = .648KWH + 550w * 4h =2.2KWH = 2.848KWH/day $29.90/mo
That’s a .65KWH/day differance and at $0.35/KWH top tier rate that’s only 20KWH/mo more or $6.85.
Thinking about it, going to 180w X 6 hrs = 1.08KWH + 4H X 550W =2.2KWH = 3.28KWH/day $34.44/mo
Even with 5.5 hrs of halides it ‘s only $36/ month to light my tank. I have no chiller. Something else must have punched my electric bill.