T5 ballast recommendation

[GPhiAce]

I would like to know what T5 ballast people would recommend for 4x39w bulbs? I am a fan of IceCap and which model would be the best.

 

[JR's Reef]

If Icecap you will have to do the 660. The 660 will overdive the bulbs better than the 430 and not sure you can do 4 39w bulbs on the 430.

 

[gilmour01]

maybe its just me, but the few times i've seen icecap ballast used with actinics it seems like the actinics lose their glow b/c they're over driven. i wouldnt hesitate to use icecap with daylight bulbs, but until i see a set-up with sweet looking actinics on an icecap ballast i'll continue to be a little skeptical. i'm just speaking from what i've seen. maybe it was just the particular set-ups ive seen and that isnt true as a whole, but i'm just throwing it out there.

 

[GPhiAce]

maybe its just me, but the few times i've seen icecap ballast used with actinics it seems like the actinics lose their glow b/c they're over driven. i wouldnt hesitate to use icecap with daylight bulbs, but until i see a set-up with sweet looking actinics on an icecap ballast i'll continue to be a little skeptical. i'm just speaking from what i've seen. maybe it was just the particular set-ups ive seen and that isnt true as a whole, but i'm just throwing it out there.

So what ballast would you recommend?? The plan is T5 supplementation using a mix of bulbs. Mostly actinics, purple and white bulb. ATI, KZ, and Geissman are the likely brands.

 

[gilmour01]

those are all nice bulbs. i'd wait to get some other opinions on the ballast. i'm still using current usa stock ballast in my fixtures. i modded out my outer orbit last winter and went from 150w halides to 250w halides and upgraded to icecap ballast (halide). my original plan was to upgrade the T5 ballast to icecap as well, but after looking at a friends tank (who did the same thing) i had some concerns about the T5's. they just didnt have any pop...very bright, but no pop/glow. i even went as far as to put my own giesemann and ati bulbs in his fixture and i just wasnt happy with the way they looked.

 

[cee]

Ditch the T5s IMO for halides.

 

[firsttime]

I am currently using workhorse ballast . But I dont think you can over drive them. I have used them for a year now and I feel are relable so far. I run one ballast 12 hrs a day and the other ballast 6 hrs a day

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

http://www.reefgeek.com/product/Acc..._T5_High-Output_Ballast_by_Universal_Lighting

 

[GPhiAce]

Ditch the T5s IMO for halides.

Don't you have T5 supplementation??? I am just trying to make my tank look like yours. :wink: I have Halides and will not go full T5 ever. Just my preference

 

[H@rry]

I'd recommend MHs with T5s over several T5s. For T5s I like ATI Blue + with IceCap ballasts. You prolly only need 2 T5s. You could get by with a 430. I have seen the same bulb driven with a Current ballast: unimpressed!

 

[LILBUDDHA]

4 x 39 Ice Cap prewired . I'ts plug and play .3 year warranty . I would opt for the 430 so they are not over-driven . I would use ATI blue plus 2 , 1 Fiji Purple , 1 Aqua Blue Special ?.
I could never keep my t-5's more than 9 months driven by a 660 prewired 48 setup with cooling . The reflector's are second to none . The other 4 were on normal HO t5 electronic ballasts .