Whats the cheapest way to DIY T5 lights?

[got2lb]

Okay great DIY gurus. I want to switch over to T5 lights. But don't have the kind of cash it takes to buy a Tek light fixture or something like that.

Here's my end goal for the project.

I want 6 bulbs that are 48" long. So 6x54watts. 2 of the bulbs must be seperate from the other four so I can have actinics on before and after the rest of the lighting is on.

What ballasts can I use to do this? Do you have to have the reflectors for the bulbs that are $30 a piece! Or can you just use a piece of polished aluminum or something.

Where are good places to buy the ballasts, endcaps, etc... Links are great!

This is going on a softy/LPS reef. NO SPS! (Don't like the fuzzy sticks :lol: )

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

Edit: This will be going into a canopy.

 

[nait002]

Here is a link to some Nova retrofit lighting. I have 3- 48" 460 nm actinics and 1- 48" 10k supplementing my 250 Mh's. They are only 28w but they are pretty damn bright. They work great and the price isn't bad either. They also sell a nice mounting bracket. These lights can be pigtailed together and all put on whatever timer you want.

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_nova.htm

 

[bebitte70]

I don't have experience with t5ho yet but I will next time I change my lights...
I would suggest these lamps http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/product_info.php?products_id=1331
with a workhorse 7 (good for 4 lamps) and a workhorse 5 (good for 2) http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/product_info.php?products_id=430 and the 5 is 40$.
Take note this is canadian so it would be a little cheaper for you.
Don't try to find ARC products anywhere else he's the only one i found. This is what it looks like with 2 actinics and 2 sunlight: http://aquariacanada.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9795&page=2&pp=20

 

[fish1219]

Checkout reefgeek.com. There is a new Ballast from ICECAP that will run 2x54Watt T5HOs. I'm beta testing it now but understand it can be purchased from reefgeek. What I would go with would be.
* ICECAP 660 to run 4-T5H0s
* ICECAP DYnamic to run 2-6t5HOs
* 6 bulbs (3-11K,1-6.5k,2-Atinic)
The SLRs are not required but you will not get all of advantages out of the T5s. I understand the SLRs increase the output around 300%. I would build the system an then add SLRs as funds permitted.

 

[bebitte70]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6709300#post6709300 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nait002
Here is a link to some Nova retrofit lighting. I have 3- 48" 460 nm actinics and 1- 48" 10k supplementing my 250 Mh's. They are only 28w but they are pretty damn bright. They work great and the price isn't bad either. They also sell a nice mounting bracket. These lights can be pigtailed together and all put on whatever timer you want.

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_nova.htm

Are these HO at 28W they can't be or can they? could you send pics of the actinics alone? I am curious to see what they look like.

 

[marm64]

The problem with T5 is that if you do not buy good reflectors and a T5 approved ballast you are kind of defeating the purpose of T5 bulbs. I went with the retro T5 setup from reefgeek and it has been working good so far. I have 2 blue plus and 3 11K and 1 sun and when I change my bulbs I am going to skip the sun. The suns are pretty yellow and I do not like the color.

 

[got2lb]

The marine and reef ones are just normal output. Not what I'm looking for.

I'll probably add the SLR reflectors down the road. But for now the money doesn't allow me to be able to do that.

Are you sure the Workhorse 7 can drive 4 bulbs? Have you done it?


The new ballast from icecap? Is it the triad ballast that you're talking about?

 

[nait002]

These pics are taken using just the 3 28w Actinics and 1 10k Actinic. Also 1 24" Actinic that I use for a night viewing light.

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[bebitte70]

If you like you can go on the Fulham website to check, I just got it from there. They even show the diagram that i'll attach.

I don't know how much it would cost you for shipping. I think it's worth finding out.

I haven't done it yet but Fulham show how to connect 4 54W T5HO

This electronique Ballast will run mostly any light bulb kind up to 220 watts

Good for:
-NO,HO,VHO
-Compact fluorescent
-T5 to T12

-Solid-State Electronics
-High Power Factor
-Small Case Size
-Lightweight
-Versatile
-Energy Saving

 

[bebitte70]

Looking good, nait002.

 

[nait002]

thank you

 

[got2lb]

I'll have to check out Fullhams website and read up on it.

Does anyone know for sure if the WH 7 will run 4 54watt bulbs?

 

[leaffish75]

Yes it will run them.
Im using 2 triads and an ice cape.
For my reflectors i found a supplier who can get them for $16 but im looking into taking a solar tube and cuting it up for my reflector.

 

[bebitte70]

Find it yet? Does it sound too good to be true so you don't beleive me? All I can say is my next light setup will be exactly this with SLR's.

 

[fish1219]

The new ballast from ICECAP is a low cost economy ballast designed to run 2- 54Watt T5HO bulbs. I do not know the cost but heard the are competivie to the workhorse & triad ballast. The ballast is maid by DYnamic. I understand you can purchase from reefgeek.com. I think you have to call though. The I have came directly from ICECAP (I'm testing it for them).

 

[got2lb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6709879#post6709879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bebitte70
Find it yet? Does it sound too good to be true so you don't beleive me? All I can say is my next light setup will be exactly this with SLR's.

I was on fulhams webpage looking at the wiring and stuff but it doens't quite add up.

How can a WH7 run 4 54watt T5 bulbs but it can only run 1 110 watt VHO bulb.

Yet a IceCap 660 can run 4 110 watt VHO bulbs but can still only run 4 54 watt T5 bulbs?

The WH7 might run the bulbs but will it push them to the full 54watts?

 

[bebitte70]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6710320#post6710320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by got2lb
I was on fulhams webpage looking at the wiring and stuff but it doens't quite add up.

How can a WH7 run 4 54watt T5 bulbs but it can only run 1 110 watt VHO bulb.

Yet a IceCap 660 can run 4 110 watt VHO bulbs but can still only run 4 54 watt T5 bulbs?

The WH7 might run the bulbs but will it push them to the full 54watts?

Good question about VHO I remember on the forums on Aquariacanada.com someone did have 2 VHO: ''Depends who you listen too. Fulham (the manufacturer) says 'no' but many people do it.''and ''it will not safely run Mulitple VHO bulbs due to the Amperage needs of the bulbs! .. Many will run more than one with no issues.. But Fulham clearly says NOT TO DO IT ''

I think if they don't want you to put 2 VHO because it's not safe but it's safe with T5HO, they must have tried it. The only reason I can see to this is that 2 VHO take more amps but at a lower voltage which would work out 220W than 4 T5HO(probably more voltage and less amps).

 

[got2lb]

But if that's the case then in theory you should be able to run 8 T5 bulbs off of the Icecap 660. RIght?

 

[bebitte70]

In theory yes, it must be the way theyre made because the icecap has a max of 660W and the wh7 220W.

 

[got2lb]

Actually it would be 12 bulbs.

Def. have to do some more reading I guess.