IceCap or Hellolights?

[mlutze]

Well I have been keeping a FOLR for about 2 years now and have had some successes, as well as my share of failures. But now I am ready to upgrade my lights and try some corals. Because of my hood design, I will not be able to use MH lights, so I am looking at VHO lighting.

It seems that I have two choices, either IceCap or HelloLights. I have spent a lot of time researching, what people have to say about both system. And for the most part what I have found is positive for both, so I guess that either one will be a good choice. What I am wondering is there a compelling reason to spend the additional money for the IceCap? Are there more features on an IceCap then with the HelloLight Ballast? Can I really go for 18+ months without replacing the lamps if I use an IceCap?

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[ASH]

From IceCap:
Two reasons I suggest our ballasts, assuming all else was equal.

1. UL

2. UL for any type of fluorescent lamp instead of a disclaimer suggesting, don't use NO lamps.

Andy

[mlutze]

Thanks Andy, I had not considered that.

[PerryinCA]

I have heard good things about the Hello lights version, but personally I have always been (and continue to be) a fan of the Icecap ballasts. They were the first electronic I bought, and I am glad that I did. Haven't looked back since.

-Perry

[mlutze]

Thanks for the feedback Perry. Have you ever had to run NO bulbs?

[PerryinCA]

I actually had one URI actinic go out on a 55 I had setup, and the LFS only had some 40w NO coralife actinic lamps in stock. I needed it so I used it as a temp, and it worked great.

Aside from that, no NO experience, but that worked out well.

-Perry

[jeff967]

i have been running 4, 48" NO's on a 660, about 5 mounths. same bulbs were ran on advance NO ballasts far 8 mounths, still going strong

[mlutze]

Thanks for the information guys. I was leaning towards using the HelloLights so that I could minimize the cost. But I did some reading on the IceCap web site and there were several atricles on using NO bulbs, and getting VHO performance. It might be that the IceCap could be less expensive if I were to use the NO bulbs. Is there anyone else who is using NO bulbs successfully?