lighting question.

[rihanssu]

ok here is what i think i'm gonna do
coralife 3x250w HQI + 4x95w PCs
and on either side of that set up i'm thinking of adding 72 2 72 inch 80 wat VHOs (super actinic? or actinic 03) so i can turn on the back VHOs at like 8 am then the PCs and 9 then the front VHOs and 10 to get a rising effect and then turn on the MHs at 12 (high noon ha!!) keep that on till about 8pm then go in reverse! opinions???? sound good? help me i'm geek without knowledge!!!!!!

[rihanssu]

oh! also what is the diffrence between IC 440 and IC 660? i have no clue, also i was planign on switching out the coraflife bulbs that come with it for XM 14 or 15 Ks

[FastFish720]

IC660 will be the one you want, it can run more "footage" of bulbs.

[epidemic]

I depends though. Either ballasts will only run 2 6' (72")bulbs.

[David Grigor]

Personally, I would ditch the PCs altogether just more bulbs to replace and they aren't that effecient because of the shape. Just go with MH and VHO supplements. Instead of HQIs may consider "Cool Guy" reflectors and single ended bulbs to get much better spread than HQI.

Difference between IC 660 and 430, the 660 will burn the bulbs 20% brighter but also use 20% more electricity than the 430 when using VHOs and NO bulbs. For most people when running just actinics it really isn't that big of a benefit to run them brigther on the 660. Supposedly the bulb will last a bit longer on the 430 because don't drive as hard but I really haven't seen much of a difference in bulb life to matter.

As far as versatility though the 660 will drive up to 4 36" or 48" bulbs while the 430 can only run up to 3 of the same bulbs so you can run a few more combinations with it than the 430. However, 72" bulbs doesn't make much difference as both only run 2 max. If you did go with T5s in the future, the 430 will only run 2 bulbs max regardless of length while the 660 can run 4 ( but only 3 60" ).

[thegrimreefer]

Many many moons ago, manybe 160 moons ago, or so, I bought a couple of IceCap 660s. They were quite the ticket at the time...
I bolted one onto a large aluminum heatsink, and put a small fan on it.

I ran 4 - 72" VHOs off that one IC660. Sure, it ran a bit warm...

A few moons ago, I pulled that same IC660 out, and wondering if it still worked after 10 years, I hooked it up to 3 - 72" VHOs. Let 'em burn for a few hours. Ran fine, and ran just warm, no fan, etc.

Now maybe the 660s from years ago are different than the ones you get today, but for mine, I'm not going to hesitate for one moment to run 3 - 72" VHOs with it. Of course, mine are out of warranty now...

[mattb]

rihanssu, I'd skip the PCs and VHOs in favor of T5s... You might want to reconsider Corallife, I've heard there have been quality issues...

[David Grigor]

Well ventilated, you can stretch to 3X72" on a 660, definately not on a 430. Not advisable and is harder on the ballast and can cause the ballast to burn out a few years sooner than otherwise. I've never heard someone running 4X72" on a single ballast and is definately not something Icecap would ever recommend.

If/when URI releases T5 Super Actinic, T5s may be an option, but as of today for supplemental actinics VHO is the way to go.

[rihanssu]

the quality issues are on the bulbs, the fixtures are great, i'm planign on switching the coralife bulbs for XMs. but as far as i can tell i think that what i'm planning will work well, i'll just have 4 extra PCs, problem is i can't ditch them them cuz they are part of the fixture and i really would like to have 3 250W HQIs

[David Grigor]

What is the fixture your using ? Not familiar with fixtures with 250W HQI and that many PCs in it.

[rihanssu]

i think its called an aqualight pro, i havn't purchased it yet, just hit the market by coralife

[David Grigor]

Its your money obviously can do what you want with it.....

If you haven't purchased it yet, then you can't say ditching the PCs is not an option. If it comes with Coralife MH bulbs and your just going to rip them out and replace anyway why waste that money. There are plenty of better Fixtures out there or even better to retrofit so you can mix/match however you like if you plan to use a canopy anyway.

[rihanssu]

no i wasn't going to use a canopy, one of the reason i like the coralife, but does anyone have any suggestions on a fixture to buy???

[David Grigor]

Quality wise, Coralife is a meduim. You mentioned adding VHOs in addition. That's not going to look real nice without a canopy of sorts.

It this were my choice, I would probably retrofit but if buying a fixture it would be this. No need to switch out bulbs. AB 10Ks in double ended give awesome results.......

	AquaMedic Ocean Light 72" 3 x 250W plus 4x39W T5 - Black

[Loverotties]

I'd do pc then VHO,Mh then reverse.