Should I try to modify my T5 fixtures?

[cvrle1]

Hello everyone. I have 2 old T5 fixtures that I bough years ago for my old 36 gallon tank. These units are at least 10 years old, but still work. I will be setting up a standard 120G tank (4x2x2) and was thinking about incorporating these T5s with LEDs that will be using as well. Since these are 36" long, they are a foot shorter than tank. I was thinking about ripping them open and trying to expand them to be 48' long, but not sure if I should even bother with that. I could just sell them, or re-purpose for something else, and replace with LED bars or new T5 fixture of proper length.

Which way would you go? Thanks for the help

 

[mcgyvr]

Longer bulbs typically require a different driver/ballast.. So you would move the end caps and install a new ballast.

Nothing wrong with having a 36" bulb on a 48" tank..

 

[cvrle1]

Longer bulbs typically require a different driver/ballast.. So you would move the end caps and install a new ballast.

Nothing wrong with having a 36" bulb on a 48" tank..

Thanks for the info mcgyvr. I wasnt aware that I may need different ballast, so if that is the case, that would rule out trying to modify them to 48".

In terms of using them as is, wouldnt that cause some issues with less light on the sides of the tank? I was working under the impression that one of the reasons for T5 suplements is to eliminate shaded areas, and give better light spectrum.

Thanks again for the help

 

[mcgyvr]

The light will easily spread the 6" on each side not to mention people rarely put corals near the sides anyways..
I actually run a 24" fixture on a 48" tank...its barely noticeable that its darked on the edges

 

[cvrle1]

Thats really good info, and I clearly had no idea it wouldnt make as much of a difference. In the end it looks like I may just leave it as is, and figure out a way to incorporate it with LEDs when I get to that point.