Whats the cheapest way to DIY T5 lights?

[bebitte70]

Well if you wanted 2 for actinics a wh5 would do it but you could also take a wh7 in case you want more later on and the wh7 for your 4 sunlight lamps, this is the cheapest way I could find in my area anyways...
it would cost you 100$ for 6 lamps of youre choice
95$ for the 2 ballasts
90$ for endcaps
SLR probably better at youre lfs and when funds permits
total cost to start 285$ plus tax and shipping
Still not bad for the number of lamps you have IMO.

 

[mtndavid]

Take a look at hew.com Williams under the instustral fixture and the GL6 T5 it is designed to replace a 400W high bay Metal Halide I have been using it for about 8 mounths very easy to mount and not badly priced, it has 2 ballast to allow the lamps to be switched tow at a time. very well made fixture.

 

[Catharsis70]

www.goodmart.com has some miro4 reflectors that look interesting.

 

[cristhiam]

Now how can I do this CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!

This is what I did with my system a yea 1/2 ago. I was able to get a used IceCap 660 and I'm running 3 40W NO bulbs from HD 6500K and 1 URI Actinic 110. the icecap was $60 with 4 endcaps (lucky) the bulbs from HD 4 pack for less than $20 and the actinic from hellolights.com like $20 including shipping. I replace the 40W NO bulb every 6 months and the actinic a little over a year. I have a bit of a xenia problem
Here is a picture of my system

 

[got2lb]

Yeah, i've seen pictures of your tank on the VHO thread.

I'm currently running 8 40watt NO bulbs on my tank. But that's A LOT of bulbs above the tank.

I really want to go with the T5's instead of the VHO's .

 

[alpine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6710526#post6710526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bebitte70
In theory yes, it must be the way theyre made because the icecap has a max of 660W and the wh7 220W.

The icecap 660 is only 440 watts and not 660 watts.The 660 designation isnt the rated wattage for the ballast.

HTH
Jorge