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Unread 03/06/2018, 11:29 PM   #1
five.five-six
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Which ballest?

I’m considering adding 2X 80W T5HO to my tank and have a workhorse 7 and a icecap 660. Which is a better ballest for that application?


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Originally posted by yellowslayer13:

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Current Tank Info: SCMAS Member 225 peninsula euroreef RS180 Apex 400W X 3 20k radiums / Spectra mixed SPS
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Unread 03/07/2018, 05:14 AM   #2
RobZilla04
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Either will work just fine. If it were me, I'd choose the cheaper one.


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Unread 03/07/2018, 11:32 AM   #3
laverda
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The Icecap is more reliable in my experience. Look in to availability of 60" bulbs in the color you want before comiting to them. I have found it limited and shipping expensive in the past.


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240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef

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Unread 03/07/2018, 08:27 PM   #4
five.five-six
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I was thinking these. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-at...ml#tab-reviews


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Originally posted by yellowslayer13:

"I hate that hole"

Current Tank Info: SCMAS Member 225 peninsula euroreef RS180 Apex 400W X 3 20k radiums / Spectra mixed SPS
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Unread 03/07/2018, 09:37 PM   #5
TimeConsumer
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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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Unread 03/08/2018, 12:59 AM   #6
laverda
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Quote:
Originally Posted by five.five-six View Post
I am very Surprised to see they have free shipping available for them. 60” bulbs can be a real problem to ship and defiantly require special handling and packing. When I considered 60” bulbs last the shipping was more then the bulbs.


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240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef

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Unread 03/08/2018, 02:53 AM   #7
Gorgok
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TimeConsumer View Post
If you're buying new get an advance ballast.
You will need two, as i don't think they make a 2 bulb ballast in 60" length.


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Unread 03/08/2018, 07:13 AM   #8
five.five-six
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TimeConsumer View Post
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.

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.


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Originally posted by yellowslayer13:

"I hate that hole"

Current Tank Info: SCMAS Member 225 peninsula euroreef RS180 Apex 400W X 3 20k radiums / Spectra mixed SPS
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Unread 03/08/2018, 07:15 AM   #9
five.five-six
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Quote:
Originally Posted by laverda View Post
I am very Surprised to see they have free shipping available for them. 60” bulbs can be a real problem to ship and defiantly require special handling and packing. When I considered 60” bulbs last the shipping was more then the bulbs.

Well, you never know what happens at checkout. They could handle a special handling fee like with frozen food. Perhaps buy several sets at once?


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Originally posted by yellowslayer13:

"I hate that hole"

Current Tank Info: SCMAS Member 225 peninsula euroreef RS180 Apex 400W X 3 20k radiums / Spectra mixed SPS
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