Icecap 48" x4 T5 VHO retrofit kit

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by TORMENTOR, Dec 25, 2008.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. TORMENTOR

    TORMENTOR Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2008
    Messages:
    130
    Location:
    Peotone, Illinois
    Hello, I am thinking about purchasing this retrofit kit for my canopy and was wondering if the 660 ballast has 2 switches to operate 2 bulbs by them selves or are all 4 bulbs run off of 1 switch, I would like to have mine set up on timers to run actinic's first and last if that helps.
    If not can you recommend a good retro fit unit for a 48"canopy that has that option. It can not be MH.

    Thanks Rich
     
    TORMENTOR, Dec 25, 2008
    TORMENTOR, Dec 25, 2008
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. IBMGeek

    IBMGeek Montipora Digitata

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2007
    Messages:
    1,054
    Location:
    Miami,Fl
    I know that the 660 you could connect up to 4 bulbs, but dont know how people wire it to have a set of lights come on first.

    You can always try the tek retrofit. (icecap is a little better though)
     
    IBMGeek, Dec 25, 2008
    IBMGeek, Dec 25, 2008
    #2
  3. Godbert

    Godbert Montipora Capricornis

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    Messages:
    1,045
    Location:
    Beverly Hills, MI
    I know it is possible but i couldnt figure it out for the life of me..... toher than that it is a great ballast though
     
    Godbert, Dec 25, 2008
    Godbert, Dec 25, 2008
    #3
  4. infamous

    infamous Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2008
    Messages:
    741
    You should go with HO instead of VHO. They run much cooler and it comes with two ballats(one for two bulbs).

    As far as i know 4 VHO's are wired to run on one IceCap 660 ballast.

    Got to reekgeek.com or contact them and ask them if they can wire you a specific setup.

    any details on your tank? :) We need Pictures damit
     
    infamous, Dec 25, 2008
    infamous, Dec 25, 2008
    #4
  5. TORMENTOR

    TORMENTOR Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2008
    Messages:
    130
    Location:
    Peotone, Illinois
    Yea I saw that Reefgeek's sells an Icecap unit with 2 ballasts and I was thinking of going that route. Pictures will be forthcoming as soon as I get more equipment. As of right now I only have the tank, canopy, JBJ Pc 48" retrofit kit and an Aqua C EV180 skimmer. Hopefully my stand will be in next week.
     
    TORMENTOR, Dec 25, 2008
    TORMENTOR, Dec 25, 2008
    #5
  6. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    2,108
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    All the t5 ballasts I've seen come WITH OUT switches, the switches are added to the fixture. On my retro my ballasts are plugged into a timer so thats how they turn on and off, otherwise I would need to unplug them. If you are feeling ambitious you can wire in a switch....
    Also the ballast will run four, on/off. You cannot do 2 and 2, or at least that I am aware of....
    Thats why fixtures like the Solar Flare have only 2 switches for 5 bulbs, you can't break them up anymore with the IceCap ballast.
    A standard HO ballast should be fine. Are you planning on running the tank on T5s or supplementing?
    What type of coral do you have?

    Happy reefing!
     
    Dr.Fragenstein, Dec 26, 2008
    Dr.Fragenstein, Dec 26, 2008
    #6