Is a Icecap 430 enuf for my tank?

[Salamander (Jeff)]

I have a 60 gallon tank and didn't plan on an Icecap. John at J&L gave me such a good deal on a defective one that was factory reconditioned, I couldn't refuse. ( Less than half price with the wiring harness) The tank size is 48'' Long by 18'' High by 15'' wide I was thinking of setting it up with 3- 110 Watt 10,000 k Bulbs White 48'' long, then a separate florescent shop light with 2- 40 Watt actinic bulbs 48'' long that would come on 1 hour before the Icecap and then stay on until 1 hour after, for a Photo period of 12 hours. This would be a total of 410 Watts and 6.83 Watts per Gallon.

This tank has been up and running for 14 months it has 2 inches live sand 50 lbs live rock 33 gallon sump with live sand also. livestock includes 1 Pigmy angel 1 Yellow tang 2 Clowns 1 Dotty back 6 Blue leg Crabs 10 Astrea snails and 10-20 baby snails (Corals) 3 Mushroom anemones, Mushroom polyps, 1 Bubble tip anemone, 1 Candy cane, 1 Pulsing Xenia. Every thing is healthy and growing like crazy. Up till now I have been running 2 shop lights with 2-40 Watt daylight bulbs & 2-40 Watt actinic 12 hrs a day. what hard corals can I expect to grow with the Icecap 430??

Sorry for being looooong winded its the first time on a board. Jeff.S

[Delphinus]

Hi Welcome to Canreef.

Can the 430 handle 3-4' VHOs? I thought they were good up to 220W (I could be wrong).

There are many nice setups out there that are lit by only VHO, so for sure this has potential. The one nice thing is that you can mix and match your lamps to diversify your spectrum giving interesting results. I think you will be happy with your new aquisition.

cheers

[Salamander (Jeff)]

The specs show up to 330 Watts max. Another quick question, is maxing out the Wattage going to cause the ballast to run hot and ware out prematurely. Thanx for the quick reply!

[ron101]

Yes, the 430 will run three 4' lamps, though I believe Tony is right about total output being around 220 watts. Here's Icecap's application table:
http://www.icecapinc.com/apptab.htm

As for stony corals that I have kept under VHO are: Caulastrea Furcata(candycane/trumpet), Bubble Coral, Fungia , and Euphyllia divisa(frogspawn).

HTH

[BCOrchidGuy]

King Ed pets has a coralife electronic VHO ballast for two lamps for under $200 it is used but comes with end caps, wires etc...

[ree-fready]

Originally Posted by Salamander (Jeff)

The specs show up to 330 Watts max. Another quick question, is maxing out the Wattage going to cause the ballast to run hot and ware out prematurely. Thanx for the quick reply!

Hey Mcfly, I checked it out and it is 330 for that ballast