Best Location For IceCap Ballasts

K

kyle

I have a partial hood over my 48X2X2 tank. That is, the hood itself is only 12" deep and is open in the front and back to allow easy access to the tank.

I have two 250W SE MH bulbs along with 2 48" Super actinic VHO tubes. The VHOs are being driven by an IceCap 430 ballast. Each MH is driven by an IceCap electronic ballast. As I see it, I have 4 options for mounting the three ballasts:

1) Inside the hood beneath the reflector panels.
2) On the back of the hood.
3) On the top of the hood
4) On the wall behind the hood.

Based on yall's experience, which location would you recommend? TIA!
 
Like steve mentioned, outside the hood. I'd go with behind the hood. Those ballast can generate a bunch of heat.

Chris
 
I would leave the ballast on the hood...on the back or on top...I like to leave everything attached to make removing the hood as easy as possible.
 
I don't have Icecaps, but my Custom Sea Life PC ballasts and my no-name magnetic metal halide ballasts are all mounted inside the stand under the tank...

(I actually have mounted the MH ballasts to the underside of the tank. The top of the stand has a piece of plywood on it, and I just screwed 'em in there. If ya' go this route, just be VERY careful that your screws don't go through the wood and stress the glass on the bottom of the tank!)


If the wires aren't long enough, I just cut them and spliced some more wire into the line...
 
See link for update...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=7699783#post7699783
 
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