The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Replace all three blues with Actinic Plus. The current blues suck.
The T5 Q&a Thread
- Thread starter JohnL
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Replace all three blues with Actinic Plus. The current blues suck.
fernandokng
New member
I'm t5 Newbie here,
Question for your t5 Pros - I have a workhorse ballast 7 laying around, and I thought I'd put it to good use by installing some T5s in my canopy to supplement my MH, but I'm a very inept electrician.
What do I need to get started (from a wiring/electrical perspective), and what do you recommend I buy?
I know that I'll need to get a hold off some reflectors, end caps, standoffs, but I'm not sure if they are all created the same. I'm trying to keep this project under $50 (not including the bulbs).
Thanks in advance for your help.
Question for your t5 Pros - I have a workhorse ballast 7 laying around, and I thought I'd put it to good use by installing some T5s in my canopy to supplement my MH, but I'm a very inept electrician.
What do I need to get started (from a wiring/electrical perspective), and what do you recommend I buy?
I know that I'll need to get a hold off some reflectors, end caps, standoffs, but I'm not sure if they are all created the same. I'm trying to keep this project under $50 (not including the bulbs).
Thanks in advance for your help.
obiwanthegoby
Hair Algae cultivator
Grim,
When you stated the the first set up, 6 overdriven 39w bulbs, are you suggesting 3 250W MH with the 6 pairs of T-5 or 3 400 plus the overdriven bulbs? What about 6 - 4 fts and 6 3ft or 2fts?
Another thing I'm struggling with here is that I am looking at using either the lumenarc or the lumen bright reflectors which would have to be positioned further off the surface than the T-5's? meaning the MH would be hitting the backside of the T-5's when they were on. (With a traditional placement of the bulbs in the canopy., there will be no canopy per se in this set up... everything will be hung pendant style or in a sealed and in-line fanned canopy) Any suggestions on how to overcome this while getting the best bang out of the lights?
Obi
wegotcrabs
New member
Grimm,
I have been running a tx5 fixture for just about a year now. I guess its time to change the bulbs. Do i change all 5 at once or do i do it over time? What 5 bulb set up would you recommend? I have been keeping rbta, yellow figi leathers, monti caps, and zoos.
I have been running a tx5 fixture for just about a year now. I guess its time to change the bulbs. Do i change all 5 at once or do i do it over time? What 5 bulb set up would you recommend? I have been keeping rbta, yellow figi leathers, monti caps, and zoos.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
You would have to check as far as a single T5 on a ballast. Not sure which ones will run 1 lamp. VS (Vosslo Schwabbe) I think will. If not one of the workhorses will.
Front
ATI Blue Plus (Single ballast)
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Aquasun
ATI Blue Plus
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Ice Cap.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
As long as the lead wires on the ballast are still full length end caps standoffs and reflectors are all you need. You will need some 18 gauge wire for jumpers.
www.fulham.com has wiring diagrams for your particular application that shows how to use jumpers.
Workhorses are not as sophisticated of a ballast and do not have any protection from shorts or burnt out lamps. It is a good idea to place a fuse in-line with them. I run Tyco breakers in in-line with them because your GFCI will NOT trip if there is a short between the ballast and the lamp because it is isolated.
http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=HcGz4gPrtoX5W7J9dJVv0w==
Of course you want to buy one that is slightly higher than the rating of your ballast. Two reasons, One these breakers are only rated for non-continuous use so their continuous usage rating is 80%. So a 1 amp breaker is rated for .80 amps. Oops I forgot reason two. Reason two is that the breakers are derated for ambient temperature and if you put these inside your canopy it will have to be derated.
http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=HcGz4gPrtoX5W7J9dJVv0w==
Of course you want to buy one that is slightly higher than the rating of your ballast. Two reasons, One these breakers are only rated for non-continuous use so their continuous usage rating is 80%. So a 1 amp breaker is rated for .80 amps. Oops I forgot reason two. Reason two is that the breakers are derated for ambient temperature and if you put these inside your canopy it will have to be derated.
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The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
When you overdrive T5's different length lamps have different intensities so it's better to use lamps that are the same length is possible.
As far as lamp placement look at the halide reflector like a shower head but using light instead of water. The light from the halide will spead in a cone shape. With the T5's a few inches below the bottom of the halide reflectors and a couple inches away from the edge you are not going block any signifigant amount of light. Also keep in mind the T5 retro reflectors clamp on to the lamp its self so they can be angled to direct the light. You can mount the T5's close the the front and rear edges of the tank and turn the reflectors a bit to direct the light back towards the center of the tank if you need to.
You could pretty much make whatever kind of a hanging fizture you want and wrap it with wood so the top and bottom are open. Basically build a rectangle around the frame holding the lamps.
As far as lamp placement look at the halide reflector like a shower head but using light instead of water. The light from the halide will spead in a cone shape. With the T5's a few inches below the bottom of the halide reflectors and a couple inches away from the edge you are not going block any signifigant amount of light. Also keep in mind the T5 retro reflectors clamp on to the lamp its self so they can be angled to direct the light. You can mount the T5's close the the front and rear edges of the tank and turn the reflectors a bit to direct the light back towards the center of the tank if you need to.
You could pretty much make whatever kind of a hanging fizture you want and wrap it with wood so the top and bottom are open. Basically build a rectangle around the frame holding the lamps.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
When you overdrive T5's different length lamps have different intensities so it's better to use lamps that are the same length is possible.
As far as lamp placement look at the halide reflector like a shower head but using light instead of water. The light from the halide will spead in a cone shape. With the T5's a few inches below the bottom of the halide reflectors and a couple inches away from the edge you are not going block any signifigant amount of light. Also keep in mind the T5 retro reflectors clamp on to the lamp its self so they can be angled to direct the light. You can mount the T5's close the the front and rear edges of the tank and turn the reflectors a bit to direct the light back towards the center of the tank if you need to.
You could pretty much make whatever kind of a hanging fizture you want and wrap it with wood so the top and bottom are open. Basically build a rectangle around the frame holding the lamps.
As far as lamp placement look at the halide reflector like a shower head but using light instead of water. The light from the halide will spead in a cone shape. With the T5's a few inches below the bottom of the halide reflectors and a couple inches away from the edge you are not going block any signifigant amount of light. Also keep in mind the T5 retro reflectors clamp on to the lamp its self so they can be angled to direct the light. You can mount the T5's close the the front and rear edges of the tank and turn the reflectors a bit to direct the light back towards the center of the tank if you need to.
You could pretty much make whatever kind of a hanging fizture you want and wrap it with wood so the top and bottom are open. Basically build a rectangle around the frame holding the lamps.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Front
ATI Blue Plus
UVL Super Actinic
GE6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue
You could change a lamp every few days just to lessen the impact of the higher intensity your critters will see with new lamps.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Less output and lamp life.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
If you have a lamp side issue that doesn't otherwise affect the ballast there is nothing to trip an external braker.
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
Dunno, e-mail coral vue.
Grim, I purchased the 72" Constellation and the bulbs you recommended. I really like the colors. The only problem I have is that my tank is 24" wide, I have been playing the front to back placement, and having some dead areas. The light is flush on the tank, would raising the fixture help or should I be looking for maybe 2 bulb strips for added light.
Thanks,
Steelhant
Thanks,
Steelhant
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