Ok decided I'm doing a canopy, ans that I will most likely purchase (4) 36 inch t5 light fixtures from like home depot or lowes or wherever and just mount those to the canopy. first good idea for the fixtures??? next how many lights would I need per fixture, I was thinking 2 per so that would total 8 bulbs. Like always looking for your input and thoughts would be appreciated
Now I have a lighting question
- Thread starter mm2meyer
- Start date
yote
In Memoriam
Those Home Depot T-5s wont work for corals.You'll need T-5HOs.
You'll need something along the lines of these.
ReefGeek > Lighting > T5 Fluorescent > IceCap > SLR Retrofit Kits
You'll need something along the lines of these.
ReefGeek > Lighting > T5 Fluorescent > IceCap > SLR Retrofit Kits
ndepratt
Equipment Junkie
way off.... to do a T5 retrofit you need the T5 encaps, and the T5 standoffs. the standoffs mount to the canopy, the endcaps clip on. then the reflector is attached to the bulb.
make sense?
make sense?
dcantucson
Reef pro
Good question. I have wondered that too. Maybe the aquarium companies just want to stick it to us.
ndepratt
Equipment Junkie
i'm sure the reflectors, if there are any, would be terrible.
can i get a link to this fixture?
can i get a link to this fixture?
Ok, been researching a little bit. YES the reflectors are crap so you would have to upgrade those, I'm still looking for the actual fixture, the T5 fixture at home depot won't handle the 54 watts the bulbs will draw but then again I only looked at one and haven;t looked online. But considering a 3 foot 2 strip T5 fixture was right around 30 bucks it definately beats 120 for an aquarium fixture. If worse comes to worse I can buy those fixtures and probably find 60 watt ballasts from an electrical specialist company for still less than the price of those fixtures from your lfs. I will keep you all updated as to what I find out.
oops forgot to post link here it is. Naturallighting.com - Natural Full Spectrum Lighting[title]
daugherty
part time reefer
yes it will run 2 bulbs.
yote
In Memoriam
I dont see why that ballast wouldnt work.But I'd get 2 of em at least,maybe even 3 and do a 6 bulb retro fit.
dcantucson
Reef pro
What would one use for reflectors?
daugherty
part time reefer
look at icecap reflectors they are good i would get at least 6 bu;lbs if not 8 if i did a retro i think i would try to get 10 bulbs in my hood
Ok if I upgrade the ballasts to the ones listed above I would be able to run 8 bulbs with no problem whatsoever, the fixture is at MOST 6 inches wide. that would allow me to run 4 fixtures and still have 12 inches to play with and I'd be able to put those ballasts pretty much anywhere I wanted.
Can you have TOO MUCH light for your tank?? Also, what about straight T-12
40watt lighting??? What do you suggest going that route instread of T5HO??
Can you have TOO MUCH light for your tank?? Also, what about straight T-12
40watt lighting??? What do you suggest going that route instread of T5HO??
yote
In Memoriam
I'd suggest staying away from the T-12s.
You'll get more light out of the T-5s,less heat,the bulbs will take up less space.
You'll get more light out of the T-5s,less heat,the bulbs will take up less space.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
T12s aren't used in the hobby much at all... well, ever really. They are not efficient and don't put out enough light.
daugherty
part time reefer
they are crap bulbs that dont put out as much par
