T5/ballast question

[RayAllen]

Will a icecap 660 ballast drive T5s?

If so does anyone know where I could find a wiring diagram? How many bulb could I drive with it?

MY VHO bulbs will need changed soon and I was thinking of making a change for more color spectrum.

[rockmp]

Ray,

Yes an Icecep 660 will support T5's here is a wiring diragram link http://www.icecapinc.com/01/completed%20manual.pdf

I have wired a couple of these and they are pretty simple. Let me know if you need help.

[RayAllen]

Thanks Mark obviously I didnt look good enough, I have that info already.

Its make is seems like 4 bulbs is the max that it will drive. T5s only come in 24-48" if im not mistaken. Wonder what the best way to do this is.

How many bulbs and at what lenght?

My tank is 6ft long b 2ft wide. any thoughts on that. Will I have to buy another ballast or with the one 660 be enough..

[rockmp]

I think 4 bulbs is the max at 4ft each. They do sell 24,36,48 and 60" bulbs. There is a max of ft you can do for each ballast.

Individual lamps can be 2 through 6 feet each. This corresponds to 12 different lamp configurations. Maximum light output with VHO and HO lamps

[RayAllen]

Yea 16ft is the total.

I get stuck on the watts per gallon things. Old habits.

Its hard to compare 3 60" VHO bulbs with 420watts total to T5s

With one icecap ballast I could run one of these below, but would any of them be enough light for my Softies and LPS over a 180g aquarium

8 24" T5 24watts 16ft/192watts total
5 36" T5 39watts 15ft/195watts total
4 48" T5 54watts 16ft/216watts total
3 60" T5 80watts 15ft/240watts total

[RayAllen]

im trying to remember what Bernie was running on his 240g tank. But cant remember his bulb configuration...

May have to add a additional ballast to get the coverage I will need.

[Gseclipse02]

he was running 16 4 footers

[RayAllen]

thanks I knew he had several.

[RICKY81]

THIS MIGHT HELP IF ITS NOT TOO LATE, BUT I HAVE A 220 GAL TANK 72 X 24 X 29, AND I RUN 8 - 36" T5's, AND I USE THE 2- 660 ICE CAP BALLAST FOR MY 8 BULBS OF 39W EACH, PLUS 3-400W METAL HALIDES.