>Regular tar ballast with V.H.O.s is that possible (vs IceCap)

Regular tar ballast with V.H.O.s is that possible (vs IceCap)

I just got done reading a article on the net(saltwater aquarium guide) and I read about using regular tar ballast with V.H.O.s is that possible? want to go toVHO but dont want the cost of icecap ballast....thanks

You can use vho no problem. However.... tar ballast's are *far* from practical. Initially they seem a convenient inexpensive alternative but don't even come close to the IceCap

Tar ballast's

Run *very* hot
Use *much* more electricity
Use more of their power (heat) within the ballast and not to the lamps making the lamps less intense
Are bulky, heavy and cumbersome to work with
Degrade over time (less gracefully) than electronics
Are inexpensive

Electronic (ice cap type)

Have virtually minimal heat consumption (they don't get hot)
Push more of the electricity to the lamp
Are extremely lightweight can mount easily
Less expensive to run
More efficient
Cost more than electronic ballasts

Ive used both extensively and ice cap is superior (that's why they cost more)

I just got done ordering a icecap ballast and four V.H.O. lamps, 2 actinics, 1 actinic white and 1 aquasun (5,200K daylight) the aquasun is because I dont like the strictly blue appearance of the actinics.

Well... they look blue if you look directly at the lamp, but the blue light is very penetrating, and make up a good balance of the tank lighting. Once they are setup you really don't notice the blue directly. Anyway...

440 watts total, that means i'll be running at 5.8 watts per gal.( 75 gal tank). you say the max is 5 watts per gal. is the 5.8 a acceptical range?

A little on the high side, but that should be fine, I think you'll really like the ice caps

also one more question, I cleaned my skimmer 2 1/2 wks. ago and did a minor repair on a leak from the drain hose, since then I have gotten nothing out of the skimmer, is this something I should worry about or should I just let it go and see what happens?

2.5 weeks is quite a while, I suppose you'll have to just let it go and see. The principal is the same, so if it was working before and you didn't change the design, I would assume it would continue to perform as it once did.

Glad to hear your lighting is being upgraded

Robert