[Awibrandy]

I have a Hamilton 3 - 175 watt MH Mogul base with 2 - 140 watt VHO light fixture which I bought used. The unit is a few years old, (not sure how old could be 6yrs.) yesterday my actinics did not light. Today I took the fixture down found that one of the caps is sinched, and the bulb has a broken spoke. I have no idea what damaged what. Did the bulb cause the damage to the cap, or did the cap damage the bulb? Either way I need to fix this.

Now is it worth it to fix, or should I just purchase a whole nother fixture?
If I keep the fixture should I change over from T12 to T5?
Ballast is IceCap 660. Can I run T5 with that ballast?
Do I just get a new harnest & end caps to fit T5 bulbs?

Finally, how easy is this going to be? Lets remember I have a few burned out brain cells.

	MH Metal Halide Lighting, typically used for high intensity light demanding corals such as SPS. Bulbs come in varieties of spectrums (7k, 10k,20k), and intensity (175W, 250W, 400W).

	VHO Very High Output Fluorescent Lighting - Fluorescent bulbs that run on special ballasts and have an output that is significantly higher than normal tubes. It is very possible to run an entire reef system on VHO lighting providing the proper number of bulbs and mixture of spectrums are chosen. For most hobbyists, these tubes are used in conjunction with Metal Halide lighting for simulating dawn and dusk. They often provide the "bluer" end of the light spectrum and thus a more aesthetically appealing display.

[bigbris1]

Here's what you can run with that 660

So those are 2 x 4 foot VHO's? You can do 2 x 4' T5s w/clip on reflectors & be OK I would think.

	VHO Very High Output Fluorescent Lighting - Fluorescent bulbs that run on special ballasts and have an output that is significantly higher than normal tubes. It is very possible to run an entire reef system on VHO lighting providing the proper number of bulbs and mixture of spectrums are chosen. For most hobbyists, these tubes are used in conjunction with Metal Halide lighting for simulating dawn and dusk. They often provide the "bluer" end of the light spectrum and thus a more aesthetically appealing display.

[Awibrandy]

Thanks bigbris!
My mistake they are 2 - 140 watt 6' lamps.

The link doesn't mention T5's.. I have no idea on how, or even if it can be done, to take this fixture apart to exchange the end cap...

[bigbris1]

Mima, on Icecap's home page they show before & after pics of a store's tanks running 660's & T5s. Check it out.

[sanjay]

Overtime the heat and humidity tends to fry the endcaps of flourescent fixtures. Yes, that can damage the bulbs.

The end caps an be easily replaced, and are cheap enough.

If you want to go the T-5 route you can do that too with the icecap ballast. You will have to buy a retro fit T-5 setup ( endcaps, reflector, and bulbs) and rewire it to the ballast. THe wiring instructions are available on icecap's webstie (at least they used to be available).

sanjay.

[Awibrandy]

Thanks bigbris & sanjay!!
Now to get to work!