Will VHO ballast drive T5

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by epsilon, Mar 31, 2010.

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  1. epsilon

    epsilon Feather Star

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    I've heard some people say that an old VHO ballast could drive a T5 setup if it was poowerfull enough. What would the specs need to be for the ballast if true?
     
    epsilon, Mar 31, 2010
    epsilon, Mar 31, 2010
    #1

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  2. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Yes, what type of ballast is it? I know an IceCap 660 will overdrive the T5s. For example, from 54w to 80w. But the bulbs won't last as long, there is more heat and the spectrum shifts.
     
    GuitarMan89, Mar 31, 2010
    GuitarMan89, Mar 31, 2010
    #2
  3. epsilon

    epsilon Feather Star

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    Unfortunately I'm not sure off the top of my head. Thinking about getting an old ballast from a friend. He said he'd give me the ballast and the VHO caps he used with it for like $30. From wut I've read though I think I'd rather spend the money on T5 bulbs vs VHO. Plus it looks like endcaps are cheap so...
     
    epsilon, Mar 31, 2010
    epsilon, Mar 31, 2010
    #3
  4. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    unless it is an icecap 430 or 660, no, it won't drive them properly. Even the IC 430 and 660 don't properly run t5ho either.

    I say get a workhorse ballast so you can actually run any fluorescent bulbs.
     
    horkn, Mar 31, 2010
    horkn, Mar 31, 2010
    #4