T5 / LED Canopy Retrofit - The Build and the Result

Thrashie · 10/04/2010, 07:04 PM

OK finally got it just about done but it's now on the tank. Just need a few tweaks here and there. (mainly getting all the LED wiring completed)

I wound up mounting the ballasts on top with some wood standoffs mounted on a couple brackets i had laying around. I also made a "ring" around them of some thin wood to hide em from the front and sides. I ran the wires across a "cross rail" on the back of the canopy.

Heres some pix, hopefully photobucket is playing nice.

Ring around the ballasts!
I wound up taking the left side all the way off and cutting em down about 1/2 size.

I picked up the tombstones from FAOIS and the Ferrari piston lifts @ AM Supply in Pinellas Park.

getting them laid out here.

6 Icecap reflectors and 2 Panorama LED modules installed. 2 Stunner Strips going in the open middle section. Also wound up buying 2 CoolerMaster 120mm 90CFM 19db fans for the back of the canopy. (not the ones in the pic)

The "almost" end light result!
Only because i dont have the wiring for the Panorama modules complete.

Lamp order with the order the come on:

front:
1 Geisemann pure actinic
2 Geisemann Actinic Plus
3 Geisemann AquabluePlus
4 Ecoxotic Panorama LED's And Stunner Strips
2 KZ Fiji Purple
3 KZ Koral Light
1 Geisemann Actinic Plus
back:

and the tank view!

BR12349 · 10/04/2010, 07:47 PM

Looks great!!!!!!!! Nice Colors

Nwest · 10/04/2010, 09:05 PM

wow great looking lights! how do those stunner strips look at night time? I was thinking about getting two for my tank but getting the white ones.

kalapnath · 10/05/2010, 07:59 AM

definitely looks great for a diy.............

Thrashie · 10/05/2010, 09:09 AM

thanks ya'll.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwest

wow great looking lights! how do those stunner strips look at night time? I was thinking about getting two for my tank but getting the white ones.

The stunner strips are AMAZING at night time! They make everything glow and the 2 in my tank are more than enough for moonlights and cover the whole tank.

the panorama modules i have are white/blue and will give me the shimmer and using those for dusk to dawn.

Larry Grenier · 10/05/2010, 09:21 AM

Those lights look great.
Were you able to get the Geisemanns and the KZs from one vendor? Who?

Thrashie · 10/05/2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Grenier

Those lights look great.
Were you able to get the Geisemanns and the KZs from one vendor? Who?

yup, one stop shoppin...gotta love it!

I picked them up at the LFS, Fish and other Ichthy Stuff in Oldsmar, FL.

bcobra · 10/05/2010, 02:44 PM

Trashie nice job on the lights like the look they give the tank.

Seajuice · 11/24/2010, 06:36 AM

not sure you might see this....month or so later. But you've inspired me!! I've been wrestling with the idea of building a new canopy and putting T5's in. I realllllly like your design, well done!! Hope I am as skillful but going to give it a shot. Thanks and feel free to pass on any tips for making the canopy.

RARA · 11/24/2010, 07:32 AM

very nice , the color in the tank looks awsome.

10/04/2010, 07:04 PM	#1
Thrashie Not a lowlife 25%'er Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Largo near IRB, FL Posts: 825	T5 / LED Canopy Retrofit - The Build and the Result OK finally got it just about done but it's now on the tank. Just need a few tweaks here and there. (mainly getting all the LED wiring completed) I wound up mounting the ballasts on top with some wood standoffs mounted on a couple brackets i had laying around. I also made a "ring" around them of some thin wood to hide em from the front and sides. I ran the wires across a "cross rail" on the back of the canopy. Heres some pix, hopefully photobucket is playing nice. Ring around the ballasts! I wound up taking the left side all the way off and cutting em down about 1/2 size. I picked up the tombstones from FAOIS and the Ferrari piston lifts @ AM Supply in Pinellas Park. getting them laid out here. 6 Icecap reflectors and 2 Panorama LED modules installed. 2 Stunner Strips going in the open middle section. Also wound up buying 2 CoolerMaster 120mm 90CFM 19db fans for the back of the canopy. (not the ones in the pic) The "almost" end light result! Only because i dont have the wiring for the Panorama modules complete. Lamp order with the order the come on: front: 1 Geisemann pure actinic 2 Geisemann Actinic Plus 3 Geisemann AquabluePlus 4 Ecoxotic Panorama LED's And Stunner Strips 2 KZ Fiji Purple 3 KZ Koral Light 1 Geisemann Actinic Plus back: and the tank view! __________________ HELP! I've Fallen! and I can't get uuuhhhh....HEY! Nice carpet!! Current Tank Info: none! free at last! Last edited by Thrashie; 10/04/2010 at 07:09 PM.

10/04/2010, 09:05 PM	#3
Nwest Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palm Harbor Posts: 2,596	wow great looking lights! how do those stunner strips look at night time? I was thinking about getting two for my tank but getting the white ones. __________________ 25 Gallon Cube Build Coming Soon!!

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10/04/2010, 07:47 PM	#2
BR12349 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 406	Looks great!!!!!!!! Nice Colors

10/05/2010, 07:59 AM	#4
kalapnath Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 69	definitely looks great for a diy.............

10/05/2010, 09:21 AM	#6
Larry Grenier Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Manassas, VA, USA Posts: 378	Those lights look great. Were you able to get the Geisemanns and the KZs from one vendor? Who?

10/05/2010, 02:44 PM	#8
bcobra Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Tampa,Fl.,USA Posts: 291	Trashie nice job on the lights like the look they give the tank.

11/24/2010, 06:36 AM	#9
Seajuice Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Plymouth, MA Posts: 146	not sure you might see this....month or so later. But you've inspired me!! I've been wrestling with the idea of building a new canopy and putting T5's in. I realllllly like your design, well done!! Hope I am as skillful but going to give it a shot. Thanks and feel free to pass on any tips for making the canopy.

11/24/2010, 07:32 AM	#10
RARA Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Clearwater Posts: 903	very nice , the color in the tank looks awsome.