lighting for my 75g tank

[bigdeeezy]

i was thinking about getting some ballasts for my lighting setup for my 75g tank since it is almost done with...i currently have an icecap 660 in which i was planning on using to run 2 VHO actinic bulbs...just wanted to know from those who have experience with these ballasts or heard good things about them and which one you would choose ??? should i go with 2 250w halides with 2 VHOs or get another icecap 660 and run a 6 bulb t5 configuration with individual reflectors?

 

[tuberider]

What do you plan on keeping?

 

[bigdeeezy]

i wanted mainly to keep sps

 

[tuberider]

I'd go with two 250w on Icecaps, and use the 660 for VHO.

 

[iani]

Don't think you can go wrong with either senario.

 

[bigdeeezy]

[quote author=tuberider link=topic=3835.msg44784#msg44784 date=1212697475]
I'd go with two 250w on Icecaps, and use the 660 for VHO.
[/quote]

i just wanted to know which ballast is better and lasts longer without any problems...the icecaps are like 30 bucks more than the AROs but i rather spend that extra 30 if the icecaps are better and more reliable

 

[bad coffee]

Ice cap. I have two 150's over my tank. When I first bought them, one of the ballasts was DOA. I emailed IC, sent the ballast in, and had a new one in about 2 days. Great customer service.

B

 

[bigdeeezy]

that sounds good...any other opinions/experiences with these setups?

 

[sfsuphysics]

Also if you want single ended bulbs or double ended bulbs that should probably affect your choice as well. Read a thread over on RC and a conclusion reached is the high frequency switching of electronic ballasts cause DE bulbs to lose their intensity significantly over time, compared to HQI M80 ballasts.

 

[bigdeeezy]

[quote author=sfsuphysics link=topic=3835.msg45053#msg45053 date=1213020587]
Also if you want single ended bulbs or double ended bulbs that should probably affect your choice as well. Read a thread over on RC and a conclusion reached is the high frequency switching of electronic ballasts cause DE bulbs to lose their intensity significantly over time, compared to HQI M80 ballasts.

[/quote]

yea i actually wanted to run SE bulbs instead of DE bulbs because its much more easier to mount inside my canopy...i also read that SE bulbs has a little bit more intensity than DE bulbs and is a tad bit more efficient? also i dont wanna use a UV filter

 

[tuberider]

[quote author=bigdeeezy link=topic=3835.msg45107#msg45107 date=1213037941]
[quote author=sfsuphysics link=topic=3835.msg45053#msg45053 date=1213020587]
Also if you want single ended bulbs or double ended bulbs that should probably affect your choice as well. Read a thread over on RC and a conclusion reached is the high frequency switching of electronic ballasts cause DE bulbs to lose their intensity significantly over time, compared to HQI M80 ballasts.

[/quote]

yea i actually wanted to run SE bulbs instead of DE bulbs because its much more easier to mount inside my canopy...i also read that SE bulbs has a little bit more intensity than DE bulbs and is a tad bit more efficient? also i dont wanna use a UV filter
[/quote]SE bulbs aren't as intense as DE due to the DE bulbs being overdriven a 150w DE is actually running near 200w on an "HQI" ballast. So in general it's watt for watt. But as you said you need a UV filter for the DEs which cuts down on PAR, as well as two ends of the DE bulb are not producing light as opposed to only one with the SE.