Calling all for help with T5 lighting!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
R

Rays of Sunshine

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MFK Member
Mar 20, 2010
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Georgia
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I am asking for help for a fellow fish member on another site. They just had a custom acrylic tank made and they want to use two 24" lights and a 48" light in a canopy with an open back. The lights will be T5's(there will be a total of 6 bulbs). I think there is going to be too much heat that could possibly warp the acrylic top and canopy. So your help is greatly appreciated.

"Does anybody know where I can get T5 fixtures (24" and 48") with reflectors for cheap? Something like a retrofit kit to be mounted inside of a canopy, so it doesn't have to look good."

Here is the tank and the tank, canopy and stand:

http://www.atlantaaquarium.com/showthread.php?3581-Here-it-is...

http://www.atlantaaquarium.com/showthread.php?3581-Here-it-is.../page5
 
You could install some fans in the hood, that would be where I would start. They can really make a difference, more than I had expected when I started messing around with them.
 
I tried the “cheap-o” T5 route.
HD/Lowes for a single bulb, 48” fixture with bulb for less than a $20.
Loved the size of the unit, hated the locally(non LFS)availability and selection of bulbs. There was no selection. As they all only stocked a bulb that gave off that miserable yellowish tinged light.
I went back to T8.
Cheaper fixtures, large selection of “K” ratings at fair prices.
Not pushing, just saying.
 
Rays of Sunshine;4886867; said:
I am asking for help for a fellow fish member on another site. They just had a custom acrylic tank made and they want to use two 24" lights and a 48" light in a canopy with an open back. The lights will be T5's(there will be a total of 6 bulbs). I think there is going to be too much heat that could possibly warp the acrylic top and canopy. So your help is greatly appreciated.

"Does anybody know where I can get T5 fixtures (24" and 48") with reflectors for cheap? Something like a retrofit kit to be mounted inside of a canopy, so it doesn't have to look good."

Here is the tank and the tank, canopy and stand:

http://www.atlantaaquarium.com/showthread.php?3581-Here-it-is...

http://www.atlantaaquarium.com/showthread.php?3581-Here-it-is.../page5
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting :)

It's actually only three bulbs....just placed an order from Kensfish. 2x24" (24w ea) and 1x48" (54w). Also ordered reflectors

Info here http://www.kensfish.com/sumblazet5holights.html

Is this going to be too much heat? And if so, any recommendations for fans? The lights will be 4" above the top bracket......
 
I just bought a pair of T5HO 60-inch retrofit kits from reefgeek.com, and they're great. Bright as all get out! Perfect for my 26" deep tank.

The 2 high-quality ballasts don't overdrive the lights, so they don't get hot. No fans needed. Silent. Safe. My two 5' bulbs are mounted in a tighter (9"x3"x60") metal canopy that has softwood end-caps. But even with almost no ventilation (a dozen 3/16" holes) my canopy stays cool. No need for bigger vent holes. Its warmth is like the old style regular T12 fluorescent bulbs we replaced. At most, it's just warm to the touch, so is perfectly safe. No worries.

You'll have 3 bulbs aside, not 2. But your canopy is more spacious. An open back on your all-wood canopy would be even better, maybe overkill? I think overdriving them would make them get hotter, which is not needed.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_2_Retrofit_Kits/
 
cvar;4888037; said:
I just bought a pair of T5HO 60-inch retrofit kits from reefgeek.com, and they're great. Bright as all get out! Perfect for my 26" deep tank.

The 2 high-quality ballasts don't overdrive the lights, so they don't get hot. No fans needed. Silent. Safe. My two 5' bulbs are mounted in a tighter (9"x3"x60") metal canopy that has softwood end-caps. But even with almost no ventilation (a dozen 3/16" holes) my canopy stays cool. No need for bigger vent holes. Its warmth is like the old style regular T12 fluorescent bulbs we replaced. At most, it's just warm to the touch, so is perfectly safe. No worries.

You'll have 3 bulbs aside, not 2. But your canopy is more spacious. An open back on your all-wood canopy would be even better, maybe overkill? I think overdriving them would make them get hotter, which is not needed.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_2_Retrofit_Kits/
Click to expand...

Thanks! They are coming in Thursday and hopefully I'll have the canopy done this weekend. Will measure the temperature and update.
 
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