icecapp 660 + ?

[jtsurf17]

I know there have been bunch of threads about HQI systems, I have a 105 (or 110?) deep ocieanic with 4x 36" VHO, with icecap 660 ballast. I have soft corals but looking to do other a wider range in corals. I built my own top and was thinking i could do the same if i do add more lighting. I read great reviews about the aquatic starligh HQi setups. I like the setup because i could add my existing vho's (minus 2) But I'd hate to buy one of the setups only to put in a top.( or is that suitable if i build it with vents?) should i buy a icecap MH ballast(which one?) and i guess buy two, one for each bulb. and add a UV sheild. I would like to save mone in the efficency dept as well. but that might be asking too much.
thanks,
jt

[blue]

if you are talking about the AB aquastarlight fixture it comes with the ballast already all you have to do is plug it in and yes you can put it in a hood if you would like to there are a couple of people on reefcentral that have done this

Blue

[jtsurf17]

how is that light rated agaisnt the icecap ballast?, i could use my existing ballast, get two new for two mh bulbs, (i don't know if they are hqi) and as a moonlight with dimmer eventually...suggestions?

[blue]

AB fixtures are great from what ive heard im thinking about buying one myself you could buy the one with the moon light in it and the fixture come with ballast so you wont have to buy any more ballasts and you could use your ice cap 660 for your actinc light and you would be set,

Blue

[jtsurf17]

i was reading up on dimmers and such. the solar 1000 L1. i thought i could dimm my lights to have a gradual wakening, it also controls the moonlight. think this is the setup, .
2nd ? can i replace the ab with any bulb like i could do with a icecap 250W hqi ballast.? ...
i figure that two ballasts would cost 300 or so, plus lights which would put me in high 400 or so...what does the starlight price for 4' if you know it on the top of your head.

[jtsurf17]

man i think those hoods are around 800 or so...i read some post about custom aquatics giving good deals...maybe icecap it the way to go.. probly paying for the hood for ab...i could build a setup..with two vho, hqi, and moonlight with a lunar dimmer for about the same.

anyone heard much about dimming..if neccesarry with hqi..figure i could use the vho to warm up the light( sunrise) and evenutally turn on the hqi's later for the effect.)

[Ninong]

The Solar 1000 that you are talking about cannot dim metal halides but it can dim VHO fluorescents.

The AB Aquastarlight fixture that you are talking about has double-ended HQI metal halides plus a 25w blue incandescent moonlight in the center -- the 6' fixtures have two moonlights. The moonlight and the HQI metal halides are on separate power cords so that they can be controlled separately.

You can run other brands of double-ended metal halide bulbs in the AB-Aqualine fixtures so long as they are the same wattage.