T5 Lights

Hi, currently I have a 75 gal tank with 4x54 T5 lights on individual reflectors. Im thinking about doing something different with my lights and was wondering if i would see beter results by changing out my ballast for an Icecap 660 or just purchasing another 2 light fixture.

 

You might get an improvement by switching out ballasts. What type of ballast do you have now? Keep in mind, if you overdrive your bulbs, you have to change them outmore often.

 

im not sure what kind of ballast it is, i got the light second hand, i will also eventually replace the reflectors with tek.

 

If you are using good bulbs, ballasts and reflectors a 4X54W T5HO will be more than sufficient. I fried many of my corals with 6 ATI bulbs.

 

would this combo then be suficiant for my hatian pink tip?

 

I would think so.

 

ok thanks

 

my next question is what would i be able to keep in each configuration. The 4 lamps run with icecap 660 ballast vs the 6x54 watt. What can I keep through out the tank, bottom and mid and top. What if I ran a 4 lamp with the icecap 660 and added another 2x54 watt?

 

You would be able to keep whatever you wanted where ever you wanted as long as you properly protect the corals that need less light. With those configurations you will want to keep most LPS and softies in the shade even on the sand. Montiporas down near the bottom and Acroporas should do well down to the bottom. Bulb choices will also play in placement. You do not need 660 ballasts and they will become impossible to find soon as Ice Cap is no longer in operation.

 

That sounds good to me. If ice cap is going out of business then how would we overdrive our T5 lights without the 660? Is this possible?