VHO Bulb recommendations

BoomerD · 12-30-2002, 10:08 PM

I have a 90 gal. that I'm setting up FOWLR. I just acquired a I/C 430 ballast for the lighting, and I have a few questions. The IceCap webpage says I can run 3-48" 110w bulbs, but Champion and a couple of others say only 2. Next, for fish & live rock, which bulbs will be the best? I realize the fish won''t care much, but which bulb or combination will be best for the rock and make the fish look their best at the same time? Will I want 10,000 K or 12,000K? Either by themselves or with the straight actinics?
Thanks.

jersey · 01-01-2003, 08:37 AM

Hi BoomerD, when my 90 was a fish only I liked the actinic white and super actinic bulb combo.

Skunk Clown · 01-01-2003, 10:28 AM

i think ice cap would know more about the product that a retailer would.....
oh wait, the retailer wants you to buy more........... i see it now.
430 will run i believe 12 feet of bulbs
660 will run 16 feet.

**kevinpo** · 01-01-2003, 05:48 PM

Here is the wiring diagram for the 3 bulb setup.
http://www.icecapinc.com/wire430-3.htm

And here is the application table.
http://www.icecapinc.com/apptab.htm

HTH,
Kevin

BoomerD · 01-01-2003, 06:20 PM

Thanks Kevin, that's where I got my info from. Curious why Champion, one of the largest IceCap dealers, says only 2- 4' bulbs. Maybe just as SkunkClown says, they want you to buy, buy, buy!!

tendar · 01-01-2003, 10:00 PM

I would go with 2 50/50 bulbs and 1 actinic. This should give a nice color.

BoomerD · 01-07-2003, 07:21 PM

Just as an FYI to all. While Icecap states that the 430 will indeed power 3 110 w. bulbs, they admit that it will also be pushing the ballast to it's max, possibly shortening it's life. Also, you'll get more light per bulb pushing 2 instead of 3. I guess that settles it for me. More light will have to wait until I add a 660.

12-30-2002, 10:08 PM	#1
BoomerD Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: No. California Posts: 29	VHO Bulb recommendations I have a 90 gal. that I'm setting up FOWLR. I just acquired a I/C 430 ballast for the lighting, and I have a few questions. The IceCap webpage says I can run 3-48" 110w bulbs, but Champion and a couple of others say only 2. Next, for fish & live rock, which bulbs will be the best? I realize the fish won''t care much, but which bulb or combination will be best for the rock and make the fish look their best at the same time? Will I want 10,000 K or 12,000K? Either by themselves or with the straight actinics? Thanks.

01-01-2003, 05:48 PM	#4
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,425	Here is the wiring diagram for the 3 bulb setup. http://www.icecapinc.com/wire430-3.htm And here is the application table. http://www.icecapinc.com/apptab.htm HTH, Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

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01-01-2003, 08:37 AM	#2
jersey Just Moved In Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: nj Posts: 5	Hi BoomerD, when my 90 was a fish only I liked the actinic white and super actinic bulb combo.

01-01-2003, 10:28 AM	#3
Skunk Clown Tenant Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: This Giant World Posts: 89	i think ice cap would know more about the product that a retailer would..... oh wait, the retailer wants you to buy more........... i see it now. 430 will run i believe 12 feet of bulbs 660 will run 16 feet.

01-01-2003, 06:20 PM	#5
BoomerD Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: No. California Posts: 29	Thanks Kevin, that's where I got my info from. Curious why Champion, one of the largest IceCap dealers, says only 2- 4' bulbs. Maybe just as SkunkClown says, they want you to buy, buy, buy!!

01-01-2003, 10:00 PM	#6
tendar Governor Join Date: May 2000 Location: tempe,AZ Posts: 1,114	I would go with 2 50/50 bulbs and 1 actinic. This should give a nice color.

01-07-2003, 07:21 PM	#7
BoomerD Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: No. California Posts: 29	Just as an FYI to all. While Icecap states that the 430 will indeed power 3 110 w. bulbs, they admit that it will also be pushing the ballast to it's max, possibly shortening it's life. Also, you'll get more light per bulb pushing 2 instead of 3. I guess that settles it for me. More light will have to wait until I add a 660.

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