add LED stip to T5 fixture for shimmer

maynardjames · 11/26/2013, 09:36 AM

i have a 6 bulb T5 fixture that is over driven by icecap ballasts. want to add a few LED strips in middle of fixture to hopefully add a little shimmer.can add up to 48 inches all together, is this possible & which strips are my best choice?
thanks

xmas_one · 11/26/2013, 09:42 AM

I would think you might get a more pleasing shimmer with a few higher power leds rather than a strip of lower powered ones.

maynardjames · 11/26/2013, 09:49 AM

thanks any recommendations?

xmas_one · 11/26/2013, 10:38 AM

I can't say, but it's gotta be brighter than your t5's. There's a bunch of threads on here already talking about it.

r2odie · 11/26/2013, 10:57 AM

I am looking also and was told to go with the blue reef brite xho. Hoping someone has a great price for Black Friday!

rtparty · 11/26/2013, 11:38 AM

Reefbrite and BuildMyLED are probably the only two pre-made fixtures that will do what you want but it will take a lot to punch through 6 overdriven T5s.

maynardjames · 11/26/2013, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r2odie

I am looking also and was told to go with the blue reef brite xho. Hoping someone has a great price for Black Friday!

where are these available at?

maynardjames · 11/26/2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

Reefbrite and BuildMyLED are probably the only two pre-made fixtures that will do what you want but it will take a lot to punch through 6 overdriven T5s.

will i have to go the fixture route instead of DIY or something simple?

maynardjames · 11/26/2013, 04:00 PM

any ideas?

rtparty · 11/26/2013, 04:48 PM

A DIY strip would be fairly easy and cheap. I would use a few white LEDs as they provide more shimmer than blues. Well, you can see the shimmer better I should say.

maynardjames · 11/26/2013, 05:38 PM

Thanks, that's what i have been shopping for. Just not sure which company to go with, i will have to research more

RCHI · 12/05/2013, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maynardjames

i have a 6 bulb T5 fixture that is over driven by icecap ballasts. want to add a few LED strips in middle of fixture to hopefully add a little shimmer.can add up to 48 inches all together, is this possible & which strips are my best choice?
thanks

IMO the least amount of lighting points give the best shimmer (remember the old Metal Halides), I would get 12 DIY Cree XMLu2 as you get 6048 LUMENS @ 1300MA (504LM EA) same as 15 1/2 Cree XPGR5 (390lm EA)@ 1300MA and arrange tightly in 4 groups of 3. I used Rapid LEDS for my build http://www.rapidled.com/cool-white/

If you want strongest shimmer get all cool whites , if you want the added blue LED pop replace a white or two with an XTE royal blue with no optics to reduce spotlighting or disco, if you want to try optics use the widest lens you can get since you only have 12 LEDS

I would also solder LEDS with extra wire length so that you can try equally spaced LEDs (I feel that creates too busy of a glitter unlike the real thing which is the sun ) and see what you like best.

Good Luck

nickdo · 12/05/2013, 02:06 AM

try new GHL Mitras Lightbar.

http://www.aquariumcomputer.com/Syst..._lightbar.html

ramon1181 · 12/05/2013, 05:30 AM

I have a reef brite xho 48 inch strip with with ati power module and it does the trick

zachts · 12/05/2013, 07:45 PM

two of these one on each side of the tank mounted to a heatsink and wired in series with your choice of 48 volt 700mA led driver, wicked shimmer will result.

http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/...0008.aspx?IM=0

11/26/2013, 09:36 AM	#1
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	add LED stip to T5 fixture for shimmer i have a 6 bulb T5 fixture that is over driven by icecap ballasts. want to add a few LED strips in middle of fixture to hopefully add a little shimmer.can add up to 48 inches all together, is this possible & which strips are my best choice? thanks __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

11/26/2013, 09:49 AM	#3
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	thanks any recommendations? __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

11/26/2013, 10:57 AM	#5
r2odie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: lake worth, fl Posts: 676	I am looking also and was told to go with the blue reef brite xho. Hoping someone has a great price for Black Friday! __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> Current Tank Info: 400 mixed reef, 16 nuvo.

11/26/2013, 11:38 AM	#6
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	Reefbrite and BuildMyLED are probably the only two pre-made fixtures that will do what you want but it will take a lot to punch through 6 overdriven T5s. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

11/26/2013, 04:00 PM	#9
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	any ideas? __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

11/26/2013, 09:42 AM	#2
xmas_one Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: long beach, ca Posts: 181	I would think you might get a more pleasing shimmer with a few higher power leds rather than a strip of lower powered ones.

11/26/2013, 10:38 AM	#4
xmas_one Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: long beach, ca Posts: 181	I can't say, but it's gotta be brighter than your t5's. There's a bunch of threads on here already talking about it.

11/26/2013, 04:48 PM	#10
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	A DIY strip would be fairly easy and cheap. I would use a few white LEDs as they provide more shimmer than blues. Well, you can see the shimmer better I should say. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

11/26/2013, 05:38 PM	#11
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	Thanks, that's what i have been shopping for. Just not sure which company to go with, i will have to research more __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

12/05/2013, 02:06 AM	#13
nickdo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 149	try new GHL Mitras Lightbar. http://www.aquariumcomputer.com/Syst..._lightbar.html

12/05/2013, 05:30 AM	#14
ramon1181 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 81	I have a reef brite xho 48 inch strip with with ati power module and it does the trick

12/05/2013, 07:45 PM	#15
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	two of these one on each side of the tank mounted to a heatsink and wired in series with your choice of 48 volt 700mA led driver, wicked shimmer will result. http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/...0008.aspx?IM=0