Is this good stuff?

Azurel · Aug 29, 2007

Well today my Icecap 660 that I have had for almost 8 years decided to short out and catch fire. Well after putting it out and getting things squared away, I now need to have a new light system to suppliment my 250 halide. I have been looking around and found this at Dr.F&S....Nova extream retro kit...
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15491&N=2004+113175

I only need 2 bulbs for some actinic lighting, so let me know what you guys think.....

James

killingseed2000 · Aug 29, 2007

this is the ones i just got

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=705

Azurel · Aug 29, 2007

That is an option as well......Good price, not sure on the bulbs though. Which ones did you get?

Hey John you get the package yet?

killingseed2000 · Aug 29, 2007

i got the super actinic and the reef blue aquamedic

not yet

killingseed2000 · Aug 29, 2007

Most of all I think the individual reflectors make a difference

zoohed · Aug 29, 2007

Hey James have you talked to Icecap about if they can do anything to repair it? I have heard they have good customer service and they may be able to do something to get it taken care of just an idea.

Carolina Frags · Aug 29, 2007

I don't have any of the retro Nova Extremes but I have the other Nova Extremes with 4 bulbs.1-24", 2-of the 36" and 1- 48" and so far I like them.

Azurel · Aug 29, 2007

zoohed said:
Hey James have you talked to Icecap about if they can do anything to repair it? I have heard they have good customer service and they may be able to do something to get it taken care of just an idea.

Hey Zoohed,

This thing is burned up, they would have to give me a new one.....It might not have been so bad but there were flames coming from it.....Thank God I was home.....

Hey Larry thanks for the tip......I might just end up getting that set up, I like the all in one kit.....

Anybody else got a reference?

edwing206 · Aug 29, 2007

What makes t5's so powerful is the individual reflectors. I would go with the ones killingseed2000 linked to.

surfn · Aug 29, 2007

yeah, i've herad of icecap replacing malfunctioning ballasts

revhtree · Aug 29, 2007

Not to highjack your thread James but how do the T-5's compare to vhos for actinic supplements?

I mean which is better?

I need some for my new 120g 48".

Azurel · Aug 29, 2007

I have been told the VHO is still better, but it is 100% the bulb that is the differance. I have been looking into actinics for T-5 and read somewhere that a company has come out with one that is as good as VHO but now I can't find it.....If I do I will let you know......Or if anybody else knows the answer let us know.....

Azurel · Aug 29, 2007

I found URI well the new company that they go under that has T-5 actinic bulb that the reveiws say they are as good as the old VHO bulbs.......

How is the quality of the product from Hellolights? I just want to make sure I get the best for the money as I don't have enough to buy again if I make the wrong decision......So Hellolight is good stuff?

VanHalen · Aug 29, 2007

was anything else in your house damaged by the fire?

chadfarmer · Aug 29, 2007

revhtree said:
Not to highjack your thread James but how do the T-5's compare to vhos for actinic supplements?

I mean which is better?

I need some for my new 120g 48".

VHO all the way

Azurel · Aug 29, 2007

chadfarmer said:
VHO all the way

That's exactly how I feel......But I found that UVI which used to be URI has a True actinic R bulb that is supposed to be Super actinic for T-5.....So maybe there is some hope....

VH,

Nope nothing else was damaged, it could have very well burned the house down if I had went to bed.....

surfn · Aug 29, 2007

i cant stand the VHO URI super actinics. i can't stand the purple/violet look to them. those are the only actinics i've ever had.

i've seen people with true blue T5 actinics and i like them allot. being more blue, they really help bring out the pinks/reds in the tank.

examples of true blue actinics:
ATI blue plus
Geisman Actinic plus

the geisman pure actinic, is purple'ish. and the geisman blue+ bulb is actually white (around 12k)

thats just personal preference though........i dont like the purpl'ish looking bulbs.

if you run T5's on icecaps, you overdrive them like crazy and will have to replace them ever 6 months or so.

when i set up my T5 actinics, i'm going to run them on a normal electronic ballast as they will be used for pure visual appeal. not looking to add anymore more PAR to the tank by overdriving bulbs.