Retro fit T5

ryan_ferguson25 · 10/27/2016, 03:14 PM

It's a lighting question...but I'm new so I thought I'd post it here.

I'm going to do a 4 lamp T5 set up in my 80 gallon. It will be on timers from 4pm to 11pm.
4pm blues on
5pm whites on
10 pm whites off
11 pm blues off

My question pertains mostly to intensity. My tank is an 80 gal rimless with a hood. My lights will sit about 7.5 to 8" off the water surface. Do you think the light will be too intense?

I plan to have a diverse mixed reef.

I have the means to swap the ballast to a dimmable high output...but if I don't need to obviously I won't.

Thoughts?

Thx

rtparty · 10/27/2016, 03:28 PM

What are the tank dimensions? How do you plan to cool the bulbs?

ryan_ferguson25 · 10/27/2016, 03:50 PM

48 x 24 x 18

Hadn't considered bulb cooling

rtparty · 10/27/2016, 03:56 PM

24" front to back will require at least 6 bulbs with 8 being ideal.

6 bulbs is ideal for 18" front to back

A couple CPU fans drawing in cool air can go a long way to aid in cooling the bulbs

ryan_ferguson25 · 10/27/2016, 04:21 PM

The hood is wide open in the top...there's is tons of ventilation..I don't think overheating will b an issue

rtparty · 10/27/2016, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan_ferguson25

The hood is wide open in the top...there's is tons of ventilation..I don't think overheating will b an issue

The cold spot (label end) needs to run at roughly 35°C. Rarely can you keep those temps without fans.

Not properly cooling T5s can drop PAR by 50% and kill life to 6 months from 12 months

ryan_ferguson25 · 10/28/2016, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

24" front to back will require at least 6 bulbs with 8 being ideal.

6 bulbs is ideal for 18" front to back

A couple CPU fans drawing in cool air can go a long way to aid in cooling the bulbs

Ok good to know...Thx!

10/27/2016, 03:14 PM	#1
ryan_ferguson25 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 141	Retro fit T5 It's a lighting question...but I'm new so I thought I'd post it here. I'm going to do a 4 lamp T5 set up in my 80 gallon. It will be on timers from 4pm to 11pm. 4pm blues on 5pm whites on 10 pm whites off 11 pm blues off My question pertains mostly to intensity. My tank is an 80 gal rimless with a hood. My lights will sit about 7.5 to 8" off the water surface. Do you think the light will be too intense? I plan to have a diverse mixed reef. I have the means to swap the ballast to a dimmable high output...but if I don't need to obviously I won't. Thoughts? Thx

10/27/2016, 03:28 PM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	What are the tank dimensions? How do you plan to cool the bulbs? __________________ 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+

10/27/2016, 03:56 PM	#4
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	24" front to back will require at least 6 bulbs with 8 being ideal. 6 bulbs is ideal for 18" front to back A couple CPU fans drawing in cool air can go a long way to aid in cooling the bulbs __________________ 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+

10/27/2016, 03:50 PM	#3
ryan_ferguson25 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 141	48 x 24 x 18 Hadn't considered bulb cooling

10/27/2016, 04:21 PM	#5
ryan_ferguson25 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 141	The hood is wide open in the top...there's is tons of ventilation..I don't think overheating will b an issue