Overdriving T5 lights?

[JLAudio]

hey, I currently have (2) 36" 4 lamp t5 lights on my 125 and being the fact that its a cheap aquatraders light I was contemplating buying new ballasts and overdriving bulbs so I could get some hardy sps in there. Does anyone have any info on this or experience?

Ive tried some searches but got minimal results.

 

[ming]

You'd be better off getting a new retrofit because you'll get much more light by getting the IceCap reflectors instead of the cheap stuff in the aquatraders. It won't even fit in your existing fixture because the aquatraders packs the bulbs so close together. And the IceCap ballast overdrives the bulbs running hotter so you need more room to place a fan to cool the bulbs otherwise bulbs die prematurely because they're too hot. The aquatraders endcaps still work, but not they're water resistant endcaps like the IceCap retro's as well.

You might have saved a lot of $ buying the aquatrader's fixture, but you get what you pay for.

 

[autoponicz]

this is the saying "spend more on quality products from the beginning"

i would sell the fixture now instead of buying a ballast to overdrive the bulbs/...
and pickup a tek light/aquatinics or a retro like ming said...they have individual reflectors plus you choose your own quality bulbs(ATI/UVL/geiseman/KZ etc.)
you'll be happier at the end and not have to keep wanting better performance from the lights...
you can mostly find a good deal on a used set..

 

[Galantra]

I agree currently all three of my takes are t5 only and 2 are overdriven you are better off selling and getting a retro. I am unsure if you are using only T5 in your tank but if you are you will need more T5s to be able to run a hardy Sps

 

[JLAudio]

yea, so think im gonna just keep it as it is and stick with LPS, softies and easier stuff. I changed bulbs to geisman and its some of the best lighting spectrum ive seen, reminds me of a whiter phoenix 14k look. Im currently using:

Geisman:
True actinic
Actinic +
Blue +
Actinic +

Greens are really popping and even reds off the colt coral come out. Its a cheap fixture, but ive had other MH fixtures for 3 years and feel there quality although not top notch is not as bad as the reputation. If I get a year or 2 im happy for $150 for 2 36" fixtures