T5 light systems for under a canopy

newbreefer20 · 03/19/2008, 01:37 PM

Are there any t5 light systems i could fit in my canopy without having to do a retrofit? Also is it ok to put the light dirreclty onto the acrylic covers or do I have to use the legs? Thanks

newbreefer20 · 03/20/2008, 07:41 AM

Help anyone

chadweiss · 03/20/2008, 08:25 AM

Yes they are. I just installed 2 5 ft 2 80wbulb with TEK reflectors from Sunlight supply.

DarG · 03/20/2008, 09:17 AM

Im not sure I understand ...

You want to install in a canopy but you also want to place on top of the tank?

Well, for in canopy a retro is really best because they are easiest to cool than installing a full fixture inside the canopy. Also less than 1/2 the price for a good retro. vs. a fixture.

I assume it's the wiring you are worried about not being able to do with a retro?

The wiring is usually all color coded and with spring loaded connectors. You strip the wire and then push in place and the contacts of the ballast and the endcaps just clamp down on the wire. Most ballasts are like that, anyway.

But if you must, yes you can put a fixture inside a canopy.

DanInSD · 03/20/2008, 09:37 AM

I did a Tek 8x54W fixture that ended up being *less* that a similar retrofit. I connected it to the canopy with L-brackets and used a canopy fan for cooling.

just dave · 03/20/2008, 09:49 AM

The Current-USA Sundial T-5 HO fixtures were made with canopies in mind. They placed the fan on the back instead of the end.

newbreefer20 · 03/20/2008, 11:22 AM

Yeah I've heard that the sundials will work in a canopy but is 4 t5s enough for a 75 gallon reef with a clam? And isn't heat an issue with the lights being inclosed compared to a retro where there exposed?

DarG · 03/20/2008, 11:49 AM

It's always easier to cool a retro T5 setup in a canopy than it is to cool a T5 fixture in a canopy as far as cooling the lamps themselves. But plenty of reefers install fixtures in canopies.

Unless you are getting a used TEK fixture or a clearance deal or have some type of connection to get them a dealer cost, a retro is going to cost less. You can get a 4 lamp T5 HO ballast for 55 bucks or less. 4 reflectors at about 22 bucks each. 4 top quality T5 bulbs at less than 25 bucks each. Thats around 230 bucks, aqdd 10 bucks for wire. And that's piecing things together, there are good deals available on complete packages that include everything needed. I dont where to get a 4 bulb TEK fixture for 230 bucks with bulbs.

One other thing, T5's lose par when they get hot. So adequate cooling is also needed to optimize par and bulb life. It can be done with a fixture inside a canopy but it is easier with a Retro that puts the bulbs out in the open. You arent giving up any light with a retro versus a fixture. Good reflectors, good bulbs and good ballast and you have a T5 setup that is top notch. It doesnt give up anything to the high dollar fixtures except for the price tag.

newbreefer20 · 03/20/2008, 12:01 PM

So would you reccomend a 4 bulb very high output or a 6 bulb high output? and what should i do for bulb choices without looking too blue?

DarG · 03/20/2008, 12:30 PM

6 bulb because you have more flexibility in bulb combinations for color (and par). You'd have enough light from 4 bulb HO, you dont need V-HO, especially if you went with the higher par bulbs. But the 6 bulb allows you, for example, to add 2 super actinics if you wanted to. They dont have alot of par compared to most other T5's but they are great for color pop in alot of corals. then you have 4 other positions for higher par bulbs.

As far as combos, depends on how blue you want it. Some reffers recommend a low K bulb or two in the mix but I personally wouldnt use one. Maybe a couple of 10K's plus an Aquablue (or 1 10K and 2 Aquablues), a Blue + and a couple of Super Actinics. That should be white with a noticeable blue/actinic tint. Not super blue so maybe not enough blue for you. But all the bulbs have good par except for the Actinics. You can throw another Blue Plus in the mix for more blue. maybe in place of an Aquable or 10K.

Thats probably what I would do anyway. Icecap SLR reflectors, for bulbs ATI, Giesemann and UVL for super actinics. Advance, Osram or Sylvania ballast.

serum153 · 03/20/2008, 12:50 PM

Is it ok to mount an icecap 660 ballast inside my canopy that will be running a 4x54w t5vho? Does the ballast need to have a fan pointing at it? Thanks in advance.

03/19/2008, 01:37 PM	#1
newbreefer20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 48	T5 light systems for under a canopy Are there any t5 light systems i could fit in my canopy without having to do a retrofit? Also is it ok to put the light dirreclty onto the acrylic covers or do I have to use the legs? Thanks

03/20/2008, 08:25 AM	#3
chadweiss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: dallas Posts: 56	how big? Yes they are. I just installed 2 5 ft 2 80wbulb with TEK reflectors from Sunlight supply.

03/20/2008, 07:41 AM	#2
newbreefer20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 48	Help anyone

03/20/2008, 09:17 AM	#4
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Im not sure I understand ... You want to install in a canopy but you also want to place on top of the tank? Well, for in canopy a retro is really best because they are easiest to cool than installing a full fixture inside the canopy. Also less than 1/2 the price for a good retro. vs. a fixture. I assume it's the wiring you are worried about not being able to do with a retro? The wiring is usually all color coded and with spring loaded connectors. You strip the wire and then push in place and the contacts of the ballast and the endcaps just clamp down on the wire. Most ballasts are like that, anyway. But if you must, yes you can put a fixture inside a canopy.

03/20/2008, 09:37 AM	#5
DanInSD Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,255	I did a Tek 8x54W fixture that ended up being less that a similar retrofit. I connected it to the canopy with L-brackets and used a canopy fan for cooling.

03/20/2008, 09:49 AM	#6
just dave 11th in '11 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cordova, TN Posts: 4,394	The Current-USA Sundial T-5 HO fixtures were made with canopies in mind. They placed the fan on the back instead of the end.

03/20/2008, 11:22 AM	#7
newbreefer20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 48	Yeah I've heard that the sundials will work in a canopy but is 4 t5s enough for a 75 gallon reef with a clam? And isn't heat an issue with the lights being inclosed compared to a retro where there exposed?

03/20/2008, 11:49 AM	#8
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	It's always easier to cool a retro T5 setup in a canopy than it is to cool a T5 fixture in a canopy as far as cooling the lamps themselves. But plenty of reefers install fixtures in canopies. Unless you are getting a used TEK fixture or a clearance deal or have some type of connection to get them a dealer cost, a retro is going to cost less. You can get a 4 lamp T5 HO ballast for 55 bucks or less. 4 reflectors at about 22 bucks each. 4 top quality T5 bulbs at less than 25 bucks each. Thats around 230 bucks, aqdd 10 bucks for wire. And that's piecing things together, there are good deals available on complete packages that include everything needed. I dont where to get a 4 bulb TEK fixture for 230 bucks with bulbs. One other thing, T5's lose par when they get hot. So adequate cooling is also needed to optimize par and bulb life. It can be done with a fixture inside a canopy but it is easier with a Retro that puts the bulbs out in the open. You arent giving up any light with a retro versus a fixture. Good reflectors, good bulbs and good ballast and you have a T5 setup that is top notch. It doesnt give up anything to the high dollar fixtures except for the price tag.

03/20/2008, 12:01 PM	#9
newbreefer20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 48	So would you reccomend a 4 bulb very high output or a 6 bulb high output? and what should i do for bulb choices without looking too blue?

03/20/2008, 12:30 PM	#10
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	6 bulb because you have more flexibility in bulb combinations for color (and par). You'd have enough light from 4 bulb HO, you dont need V-HO, especially if you went with the higher par bulbs. But the 6 bulb allows you, for example, to add 2 super actinics if you wanted to. They dont have alot of par compared to most other T5's but they are great for color pop in alot of corals. then you have 4 other positions for higher par bulbs. As far as combos, depends on how blue you want it. Some reffers recommend a low K bulb or two in the mix but I personally wouldnt use one. Maybe a couple of 10K's plus an Aquablue (or 1 10K and 2 Aquablues), a Blue + and a couple of Super Actinics. That should be white with a noticeable blue/actinic tint. Not super blue so maybe not enough blue for you. But all the bulbs have good par except for the Actinics. You can throw another Blue Plus in the mix for more blue. maybe in place of an Aquable or 10K. Thats probably what I would do anyway. Icecap SLR reflectors, for bulbs ATI, Giesemann and UVL for super actinics. Advance, Osram or Sylvania ballast.

03/20/2008, 12:50 PM	#11
serum153 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reno Posts: 584	Is it ok to mount an icecap 660 ballast inside my canopy that will be running a 4x54w t5vho? Does the ballast need to have a fan pointing at it? Thanks in advance.