Finally made the switch

[sandalscout]

I cannot believe that PC is still sold for this hobby.

I think it definitely has a place in FW and planted FW, but I would completely agree in regards to reefs.

 

[LILBUDDHA]

I have seen a rc tank of the month use pc's for supp. Emster ? Check his tort out . They do have there flaws cuz they are flat type bulbs .U just can't get a reflector to wrap around the things to increase intensity .
How did u get a 660 to fire 4 6 ft bulbs ? How long is that tank? BTW 54 watt 4 footers on an ice cap push 84 watts + - per bulb . On a ho ballast and ati blue plus has a par level of around 300 to 330 . How's that for punch . I would also find a way to cool the ends with fans for longer life . U got heat and overdriving chewing ur bulb life. Ice cap rt5 bulbs have thicker filaments to try to offset the overdrive issue . Don't bash me but I thought we were frying phosphurs here and not filaments .

 

[Tanked]

They are only 4ft. The tank is a 110. I heard about the icecap t5's but I have not heard much about them. Anybody using the icecap t5's? As for burning up faster, how much faster? I switched cause I got tired of paying 40 per bulb for current pc's. The way I look at it even if I do have to replace them more often I would still be paying the same for the pc's so all in all to get that extra punch I guess we must sacrifice something.

 

[Tanked]

Also other icecap users, do you like the icecap ballasts or are they a waste?

 

[eggie]

Also other icecap users, do you like the icecap ballasts or are they a waste?

The only bad thing that i see and hear is they consume the T5 bulbs life faster and they tend to change the color a bit for bulbs tending them to be more white

for example a blue plus running thru icecap ballast will look like an aquablue special

 

[LILBUDDHA]

I hear you on the sacrifices .

FWIW I loved the ice capballast ,slr reflectors prewired set up . I have used ATI blue plus ,specials , Fiji purple , ULV's 454 , 75/25 , Geisemann PC actinic + . Never did try the Icecap bulbs . It was after the fact of going back to a halide and a nice pendant . The ballast was not a waste imho if you like sps . Support from them is always good . U get three years if you register the ballst now . I can't answer for triads or the others .