Lighting Question [Archive] - Saltwater Aquariums

Hopeful Reefer

11-06-2002, 09:29 AM

I am torn between using 4 110W VHO running on Ice Cap 660 or 4 65W PC running on two CSL PC ballasts. The VHO's have more wattage than the PC's but I have been told that the PC's put out more light per gallon?? Some help please...

Irisservice

11-06-2002, 11:10 AM

I have only tried Power Compacts but i can give you a word of advice get a fulham ballast it runs everything an ice cap for half the price the only thing is that it can't use a dimmer module. Custom sealife uses it on all there new units.
http://www.fulham.com/wh.html

Hopeful Reefer

11-06-2002, 01:35 PM

Irisservice

11-06-2002, 02:20 PM

The workhorse 7 is the the best one for both situtions. With 4 vho 110w you will need two ballast but this a good thing. This will allow you to have a dawn dusk feature.This feature allows you to control two lamps at a time. I have also seen one guy put each bulb on a seprate ballast and it was still cheaper than icecap. This allowed thim to turn the lights on one by one."this was a cool idea

Hopeful Reefer

11-06-2002, 02:26 PM

Where are the prices listed for the ballasts...didn't see that at first glance...

Irisservice

11-06-2002, 03:17 PM

http://65.186.172.81/

Irisservice

11-06-2002, 04:50 PM

Just confirmed with my friend the tank with the 4 vho on 4 ballast had

4 WORKHORSE model 6 140watt Ballast one for each bulb an separate timers he paid $26.00 each a total $104

GreatBarrierReefer

11-13-2002, 10:53 PM

The workhorse is good, however, with an IceCap u can run NO tubes, which when run on an IceCap have the nearly the same output as VHO. So u can buy Cheap $5 tubes, run them and get the same growth on corals ect as VHO. U cannot run NO on a workhorse as this WILL overdrive and shorten their life drastically

Irisservice

11-13-2002, 11:50 PM

I don't think the workhorse will overdrive them just run them at there ratted watts!!

GreatBarrierReefer

11-14-2002, 06:41 PM

then there is no advantage to running NO on a workhorse then, if u r using VHO bulbs, sure buy a workhorse, but if u want VHO at the price of NO Bulb buy an IceCap

Irisservice

11-14-2002, 06:58 PM

I agree with that!!! I wish Icecap would make a ballast without dimming feature that which they claim makes it cost so much. :D

GreatBarrierReefer

11-15-2002, 12:37 AM

I know what u mean, :lol: considering i just foked out $212 for my model 660 to be shipped down under, u can get Workhorses in Oz, only the WH3 though and they are nealy as expensive as an IC once u buy 3 of them. and we dont have proper VHO bulbs here either, so its IceCap or MH, or banks and banks of NO's!!

Irisservice

11-15-2002, 09:22 AM

I just got 3 workhorse 7 for $100!!
That why I like them so much, and bulb options in the US are infinite.

spsfreak

11-16-2002, 05:10 PM

Hopeful,
I would go with the 4 VHO option and use ICECAP ballast. Icecap backs there product 100%. Example...... I had been out of reef keeping for about 4 years, previously I had bought a 660 for my VHO setup on my 65g. I ran that tank for about 2 years, so if you add up the time I owned the ballast I had it around 6 years. A year ago I got back into reefing and used that same setup, when I went to put the lights on the ballast was not working properly (it would only stay on about 30 seconds), I called the folks at Icecap and they told me to sent it to them, I did they fixed it for free and paid for return shipping. Now that customer service one can count on.

If you are curious as to what can be kept under 440w of VHO go to my site
www.mhunt.freeservers.com

HTH IMO/IME Matt