T5HO at 16" or shorter?

[Runner]

Do any of you guys know if T5HO bulbs come in 16" lengths or shorter? I was toying with the possibility of retrofitting my 24G nano with T5 bulbs (especially if the Watts allow me to use the same PC ballast I already have).

 

[macclellan]

No dice. I looked into that for my 14g. Nothing good available under 24".

 

[ct_vol]

Think about using LED's???

 

[Runner]

Hmmm. Interesting....

 

[GPhiAce]

I thought I saw a new fixture at 12", let me look around to see if I can find them.

 

[Runner]

I found this. I know it is a 20" fixture, but are the T5HO bulbs shorter? They look about 16" -- short enough that I might be able to buy just the bulbs and retro four of them into my hood?


Hmmm.

Found them! At 16.5 inches, though, they would be a tight fit:

http://www.marineandreef.com/Replacement_SlimPaq_10K_18W_Current_USA_p/rcu02142.htm

 

[Runner]

It looks like Current USA is making T5HO bulbs now that will go with a 24G Nano Cube reef setup.

http://www.current-usa.com/slimpaqt5ho.html
2142 20watt T5 HO 10,000K Daylight SlimPaq 16-3/8" 20"
2143 20watt T5 HO 460nm Daylight SlimPaq 16-3/8" 20"

How much over-design do you think there is in the JBJ Lighting ballast? It is good for two 36W bulbs, or 72W. Do you think I could retro in four 20W T5HO bulbs (80W total) on the same ballast? That's about 10% overload.

 

[ct_vol]

I'm not sure PC ballasts will fire T5s... They're a bit funny that way... But you should be able to pick up a WorkHorse Ballast relatively cheap that will work just fine...


Did you see this thread??? You're electrical savvy... Might be a worthwhile option for you...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=14502630#post14502630

 

[Runner]

Fluorescent is fluorescent. As long as the wattage is high enough, it will work. I think 10%+ underdriven is pushing it, though. I have overdriven bulbs by 25% and had them last the year until I replaced them.

Nice LED link. I'll have to give LEDs more thought if I can get the economics to work. It would be very nice to not have to replace my lights for a decade.


Another interesting option are LED "bulbs" that are direct replacement for metal halides:

http://www.oksolar.com/abctech/LED_lighting-cost.htm

 

[macclellan]

Sorry to keep pushing the "other" forum, but you are interested in DIY-LED for nanos, nano - reef.com is the site you want to visit. LEDs are pretty cost effective for nano aquariums, so there is a lot more, and a lot better, IMHO, discussion about them over there. evil66 is the resident LED guru over there.

Randy is right... workhorse ballasts are cheap and great if you want to go with T5. Did you confirm somewhere that the 16.5" + endcaps will fit in your hood?

Why not a 70 or 150w metal halide? Less than $150...

 

[Runner]

Interesting stuff (the LED). I now have a thorough understanding of how it works and how to do it, but it will take about $200 ~ $300 to make it happen for my 24G tank. Not sure I am ready for that yet. Maybe next year. Perhaps give a bunch of you guys time to join the LED mindset so we can group order and have a "wiring party" to put everything together.

 

[Runner]

I just put in a pair of 50/50 bulbs to hold me over for a while. The visible light output went up noticeably. I need to get ahold of the club par meter and check levels -- and perhaps put back in the 10-month-old bulbs and compare.

But the more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards the LED. I can probably get the par I have now with 12 LEDs -- which would be about a $200 to $250 build.

 

[ct_vol]

Scott~ If you're looking to spend that much, check these out...

http://www.exotic-aquarium.com/index2.html

Click on the Sun-Brite LED link... If I had a tank that small I'd likely try them... Right now I'm going to explore other options, but I can't say I won't come back to these further on down the road...

 

[Runner]

Thanks for the info, but I'd seriously question the output of those LEDs compared to the ones I'd thought to build myself. Plus the pattern would be all off. This is one case where the DIY retrofit will look better, perform better, and be more cost effective than the canned package (barring purchasing a $3000 open-top pendant, which obviously only has 2 of the 3 going for it). The DIY link you posted above is a much more attractive option.

 

[ct_vol]

They had some impressive PAR numbers, but agree that DIY is probably the way to go...

 

[ct_vol]

Maybe you can wait until Plasma lighting comes out... :eek1:

http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/05/11/aqua-illumination-plasma-lighting/#more-7041

 

[Runner]

Plasma? Oh, my. That is sweet. Looks like it is dimmable, too, for better simulation of morning/evening. I might have troubles doing that one DIY.

EDIT: It has slightly more lumens than a 250W MH bulb but only draws about 220W. It also has 3 times the rated life (30,000). I see nothing about PAR, though.