Icecap 660 opinions?

[Blade_Runner]

Hi with the addition of the new 300 I'm changing some of my lighting around. I'm planning on putting an Icecap 660 with 50/50 bulbs on my 210. I'm just planning on doing an easy reef with soft corals, zoos, etc.

Does that sound like enough for the 210? Any opinions on the Icecap. With bulbs and end caps I'm looking at $300ish. Does that sound about right? Any other opinions?

Thanks,

Bruce

[MINIATUS]

How many bulbs were you planning 4 4ft or 2 6 ft. figure the 4 ft are 110watts and the 6 foots are 160 watts. either way its good for low light corals.

MINIATUS

[Blade_Runner]

Oops, 4x48"

Thanks

[mmakay]

Icecap's are nice but way overpriced. Unless you really want to use the dimming feature, I would go with Fulham Workhorse ballasts.

As I said in another post, Aquarium Hobbiest Supply has great prices on PC retros, and they don't skimp on the reflectors. A 4x96W kit runs $215 and would be similar to what you are considering. (AH will supply two 220W Fulham ballasts for a total of 440W, same as the Icecap 660.) For $299 they sell a 6x96W retro that should let you keep most anything short of SPS and clams. Those prices include everything you'll need, too. Bulbs, endcaps, ballasts, cords, even screws and wire nuts! If $300 is your budget, that would be a good way to go.

Another note: There are guys on eBay selling 6 packs of 96W PC bulbs for $40-50! That's a bargain!!

[MINIATUS]

Here's is another idea for a good ballast. $35 and will drive 2-110 watt VHOs.
I'm using one on my new lights.

MINIATUS

http://www.hellolights.com/22elarovhoba.html

[Blade_Runner]

Thanks

I'll look into AHS.

[The Salt Creep]

There is a reason why Ice Cap cost more. No one can touch thier performance or customer service. 3 year warranty and many times they will repair or update out of warranty ballasts for free. The ballast can run up to two 6 foot VHO lamps. It is also capable of running PC's, T5's or overerdriving plan old fluorescents. You can save a little $ getting a URI A4 ballast. It is a 660 without the dimming feature or the ability to run PC or T5 lamps.

[mmakay]

Fulham workhorse ballasts will run all the different types of bulbs, too. (Any decent electronic ballast will.) As for warranty; I've never known one to fail.

[The Salt Creep]

T5's are designed for a program start ballast which fulham ain't. If you go to fulhams website it shows the ballast is only capable of driving 1 96 watt VHO at full power. Why buy a Corvette and use a rubber band to drive it?

[mmakay]

Originally Posted by The Salt Creep

If you go to fulhams website it shows the ballast is only capable of driving 1 96 watt VHO at full power. Why buy a Corvette and use a rubber band to drive it?

Don't know why?? Models 7/8 will overdrive 2 96W PC's.

The real question is, why buy a Corvette when what you need is a work truck? There's a place to spend extra money on flash and fancy ... but for a flourescant ballast?? I'll use the money for corals. Thanks.