Newbie T5 ???

one4gatr · 09/05/2009, 03:37 PM

Ok... so been talking and reading and digesting and so on and so forth... I am pretty set on doing a t5 setup... I couldnt tell from the threads so here we go...

Can you mount a t5 setup such as this one:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/236409/product.web

Right on top of and existing canopy that sits right on the water?

I have a 44gal corner tank... the oem canopy has cutouts for 2 - regular floro's... looks exactly like these..

Trying to avoid custom fabbing a new canopy.... for now...

Reverend Reefer · 09/05/2009, 04:02 PM

i doubt there will be room.

one4gatr · 09/05/2009, 04:14 PM

I can retro the canopy I have to accomodate if needed... I guess a better way to phrase the question is do they need to be elevated to a certain height over the water (i.e. like MH) or can they safely be mounted at water level with no heat issues....

Reverend Reefer · 09/05/2009, 04:30 PM

p.s. - i tried to do this with some T5 ballast i pulled out of a home fixture from home depot. it just wouldn't fit. the ballast takes up a lot of room. it seemed like it would because the T5 strips are so thin and narrow but the ballast took up a lot of room. the other problem was heat. the petco plastic thing gets hot.

in the end i was able to put one pc light that had a smaller ballast but i was only able to fit one. and it doesn't fit perfectly so there's a light leak coming out of the side.

also, the reflectors won't fit in that petco canopy and so you won't be making the best use of the T5s.

Reverend Reefer · 09/05/2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by one4gatr
I can retro the canopy I have to accomodate if needed... I guess a better way to phrase the question is do they need to be elevated to a certain height over the water (i.e. like MH) or can they safely be mounted at water level with no heat issues....

just saw yer second post. yeah, the heat thing is really the main problem. you'd have to cut out the sides, put in fans and then that peto canopy will get really crowded inside.

i think the problem i had trying to do this mod was the actual structural shape of the canopy. if you look at the T5 canopies, they are wide and flat, while the petco canopy is tall and somewhat angled. that little angle gave me a headache trying to fit the ballast in with the reflectors. in the end, i gave up. good luck!

one4gatr · 09/05/2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reverend Reefer
just saw yer second post. yeah, the heat thing is really the main problem. you'd have to cut out the sides, put in fans and then that peto canopy will get really crowded inside.

i think the problem i had trying to do this mod was the actual structural shape of the canopy. if you look at the T5 canopies, they are wide and flat, while the petco canopy is tall and somewhat angled. that little angle gave me a headache trying to fit the ballast in with the reflectors. in the end, i gave up. good luck!

Cool... thats exactly what I was looking for... looks like I will be building a new canopy earlier than MY WIFE would have hoped...

Is there a rule of thumb on the height though? My budget DEFINATELY wont allow for MH anytime soon... me thinks I can DIY something "fairly" reasonably...

one4gatr · 09/05/2009, 07:16 PM

This is what the tank looks like "as is" with the 10k reef lite (15t8) for the short term does this look problematic???

Reverend Reefer · 09/06/2009, 12:33 AM

i guess what it comes down to is the size of the ballast....

see the shape of your fixture? notice how the bottom part is a nice rectangle? that will fit the T5 bulbs with their plugs most likely. now see the part that is angled on top? notice how it gets more narrow. your T5 ballast will need to fit in that more narrow part.

i have mod'd a single T5 ballast into my display fixture which were really long and narrow. but im guessing the ones in the nova extreme will have a larger ballast.

the other thing is, i've noticed how hot my T5 bulbs get. i can pretty much touch T8 bulbs after they've been on, not for long but not like my T5 bulbs, which are way hotter. i definitely needed to add some fans. i probably should add another blowing across the bulbs too... MH get even hotter.

so in the short term, give it a try. take measurements first though.

on another note, if you do decide to do the mod, from my experiences, i would say 2 things.

1. dont underestimate how difficult it will be to fold/bend/fit the reflectors. its hard to explain until you try it but fitting reflectors into a fixture that it wasn't made for and attaching the T5 end plugs requires a lot of fiddling.

2. if you plan on glueing anything, get good glue. after reading someones mod description, i used a glue gun and after the lights were on for a bit, the glue melted! so then i tried with super glue, it melted. then i finally tried heat tolerant glue, it didn't melt but it stopped 'sticking'. so if you can figure out how to attach something without glueing it, do that.

3. use marettes instead of electrical tape (if you want to connect it using the same plugs). electrical tape glue melted, go figure.

one4gatr · 09/06/2009, 04:04 AM

Thanks for all the good info RR... I was thinking more along the lines of building up a canopy that can accomodate a "store bought" t5 fixture... just siome lumber, fans, plexiglass to allow me drop whatever I decide to go with right in rather than custom fab the light fixture itself... figured in time I can find someone dumping some t5 fixtures for a song then just build a new canopy to accomodate....

one4gatr · 09/06/2009, 04:06 AM

Oh... and on a 2nd note... I have room on the oem canopy to install one more fixtire like the one seen in the picture... does it make sense to do that or am I just wasting money? Can probably get that done for less than $50.

Thanks in advance...

nikon187 · 09/06/2009, 12:23 PM

not sure if you know but the 18w T5 fixture that you are looking at only can fit bulbs made by current usa, and only come in white and blue. Where all other sizes come in every colour you can think of ( 24"-60")

one4gatr · 09/06/2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nikon187
not sure if you know but the 18w T5 fixture that you are looking at only can fit bulbs made by current usa, and only come in white and blue. Where all other sizes come in every colour you can think of ( 24"-60")

Well its really a kind of "in general" question... I wasnt locked in on that "particular" unit... That said went into Home Depot this AM and now have alot more ??? Why cant you use a t5 fixture sold at the local hardware store and just drop in the bulbs you want? HD had a single and a duel fixture WITH ballast for like $39... Do the 10/20k's just overpower such a fixture???

I appologize for my ignorance on this subject but again I am a newbie and trying to learn....

one4gatr · 09/07/2009, 07:39 AM

ok... so i slapped on the blue backing this am... still looking for an answer if i have enough light to grow low light corals for now... as mentioned I can add one more fixture as is on the cheap... already have my plans for my t5 setup but will take some time to GIT ER DUN... Thinking some plexi painted black with cutouts to fit current equptment with a build up to accomodate some leds and a t5 fixture and fans...

nikon187 · 09/07/2009, 12:42 PM

The home depo t5 are regular output whereas most fixtures for the aquarium hobby are T5 high output, they are not the same and a reg out put t5 ballast won't drive a HOT5 bulb to spec.

one4gatr · 09/07/2009, 02:39 PM

Cool..TY Nikon... was picking local FS peeps brain just about 10 minutes ago and got same answer... FINALLY found a guy at local FS who doesnt have his/her head up their butt.... will do some more research in the meantime...

IridescentLily · 09/07/2009, 03:00 PM

Hi,
I can't quite tell from the pic but is it a space issue that requires the similar size footprint as your current light fixture?
The reason I ask is because I'm wanting to suggest to you to take a look in the dyi section (or ask in the reef discussion section by posting) for what's called a "floating canopy". It's a diy hood which can take a t5 fixture and hang it above the tank , yet still have it look like a hood.
It makes it easier for maintaining a tank with the lighting a bit out of the way, and heat will be less of an issue.
And A floating canopy setup may give you more space for a ballast.
There are a handful of folks in those two reef central sections who have this lighting setup, with pics and instructions, etc.

Addionally, and in my opinion, 36w for that tank, with those dimensions, aren't going to work for keeping corals.
Which leads me to the question; have you thought about vho t5 bulbs?
They'll at least get you in the right ballpark PAR-wise.
Or, maybe led is a better option for your spatial requirements.
Led can give you more par than 18w bulbs in the same space.

Vho t5 and led can (and has Benny) used alone in a floating canopy

Good luck!

one4gatr · 09/07/2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IridescentLily
Hi,
I can't quite tell from the pic but is it a space issue that requires the similar size footprint as your current light fixture?
The reason I ask is because I'm wanting to suggest to you to take a look in the dyi section (or ask in the reef discussion section by posting) for what's called a "floating canopy". It's a diy hood which can take a t5 fixture and hang it above the tank , yet still have it look like a hood.
It makes it easier for maintaining a tank with the lighting a bit out of the way, and heat will be less of an issue.
And A floating canopy setup may give you more space for a ballast.
There are a handful of folks in those two reef central sections who have this lighting setup, with pics and instructions, etc.

Addionally, and in my opinion, 36w for that tank, with those dimensions, aren't going to work for keeping corals.
Which leads me to the question; have you thought about vho t5 bulbs?
They'll at least get you in the right ballpark PAR-wise.
Or, maybe led is a better option for your spatial requirements.
Led can give you more par than 18w bulbs in the same space.

Vho t5 and led can (and has Benny) used alone in a floating canopy

Good luck!

Yup... looked at the floaters... I can make them work IF I retro the canopy... not a huge deal... I know I will need to go with VHO's eventually but the wife is already not happy with the budget (though I have caught her showing some interest recently)... just trying to see what I can and cannot do given my current limitations without dropping a ton into the tank... thanks...

09/05/2009, 03:37 PM	#1
one4gatr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 400	Newbie T5 ??? Ok... so been talking and reading and digesting and so on and so forth... I am pretty set on doing a t5 setup... I couldnt tell from the threads so here we go... Can you mount a t5 setup such as this one: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/236409/product.web Right on top of and existing canopy that sits right on the water? I have a 44gal corner tank... the oem canopy has cutouts for 2 - regular floro's... looks exactly like these.. Trying to avoid custom fabbing a new canopy.... for now...

09/05/2009, 04:02 PM	#2
Reverend Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 883	i doubt there will be room. __________________ - Rev. Tank: 65G glass 48" long tank; Sump/Fuge: 30G. Lighting: LEDs+single T5 strip. Maintenance: ATO Kalkwasser + 10% weekly WC, daily feedings LPS+Softies dominated.

09/05/2009, 04:30 PM	#4
Reverend Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 883	p.s. - i tried to do this with some T5 ballast i pulled out of a home fixture from home depot. it just wouldn't fit. the ballast takes up a lot of room. it seemed like it would because the T5 strips are so thin and narrow but the ballast took up a lot of room. the other problem was heat. the petco plastic thing gets hot. in the end i was able to put one pc light that had a smaller ballast but i was only able to fit one. and it doesn't fit perfectly so there's a light leak coming out of the side. also, the reflectors won't fit in that petco canopy and so you won't be making the best use of the T5s. __________________ - Rev. Tank: 65G glass 48" long tank; Sump/Fuge: 30G. Lighting: LEDs+single T5 strip. Maintenance: ATO Kalkwasser + 10% weekly WC, daily feedings LPS+Softies dominated.

09/06/2009, 12:33 AM	#8
Reverend Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 883	i guess what it comes down to is the size of the ballast.... see the shape of your fixture? notice how the bottom part is a nice rectangle? that will fit the T5 bulbs with their plugs most likely. now see the part that is angled on top? notice how it gets more narrow. your T5 ballast will need to fit in that more narrow part. i have mod'd a single T5 ballast into my display fixture which were really long and narrow. but im guessing the ones in the nova extreme will have a larger ballast. the other thing is, i've noticed how hot my T5 bulbs get. i can pretty much touch T8 bulbs after they've been on, not for long but not like my T5 bulbs, which are way hotter. i definitely needed to add some fans. i probably should add another blowing across the bulbs too... MH get even hotter. so in the short term, give it a try. take measurements first though. on another note, if you do decide to do the mod, from my experiences, i would say 2 things. 1. dont underestimate how difficult it will be to fold/bend/fit the reflectors. its hard to explain until you try it but fitting reflectors into a fixture that it wasn't made for and attaching the T5 end plugs requires a lot of fiddling. 2. if you plan on glueing anything, get good glue. after reading someones mod description, i used a glue gun and after the lights were on for a bit, the glue melted! so then i tried with super glue, it melted. then i finally tried heat tolerant glue, it didn't melt but it stopped 'sticking'. so if you can figure out how to attach something without glueing it, do that. 3. use marettes instead of electrical tape (if you want to connect it using the same plugs). electrical tape glue melted, go figure. __________________ - Rev. Tank: 65G glass 48" long tank; Sump/Fuge: 30G. Lighting: LEDs+single T5 strip. Maintenance: ATO Kalkwasser + 10% weekly WC, daily feedings LPS+Softies dominated.

09/07/2009, 12:42 PM	#14
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	The home depo t5 are regular output whereas most fixtures for the aquarium hobby are T5 high output, they are not the same and a reg out put t5 ballast won't drive a HOT5 bulb to spec. __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

09/05/2009, 04:14 PM	#3
one4gatr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 400	I can retro the canopy I have to accomodate if needed... I guess a better way to phrase the question is do they need to be elevated to a certain height over the water (i.e. like MH) or can they safely be mounted at water level with no heat issues....

09/05/2009, 07:16 PM	#7
one4gatr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 400	This is what the tank looks like "as is" with the 10k reef lite (15t8) for the short term does this look problematic???

09/06/2009, 04:04 AM	#9
one4gatr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 400	Thanks for all the good info RR... I was thinking more along the lines of building up a canopy that can accomodate a "store bought" t5 fixture... just siome lumber, fans, plexiglass to allow me drop whatever I decide to go with right in rather than custom fab the light fixture itself... figured in time I can find someone dumping some t5 fixtures for a song then just build a new canopy to accomodate....

09/06/2009, 04:06 AM	#10
one4gatr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 400	Oh... and on a 2nd note... I have room on the oem canopy to install one more fixtire like the one seen in the picture... does it make sense to do that or am I just wasting money? Can probably get that done for less than $50. Thanks in advance...

09/06/2009, 12:23 PM	#11
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	not sure if you know but the 18w T5 fixture that you are looking at only can fit bulbs made by current usa, and only come in white and blue. Where all other sizes come in every colour you can think of ( 24"-60")

09/07/2009, 07:39 AM	#13
one4gatr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 400	ok... so i slapped on the blue backing this am... still looking for an answer if i have enough light to grow low light corals for now... as mentioned I can add one more fixture as is on the cheap... already have my plans for my t5 setup but will take some time to GIT ER DUN... Thinking some plexi painted black with cutouts to fit current equptment with a build up to accomodate some leds and a t5 fixture and fans...

09/07/2009, 02:39 PM	#15
one4gatr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 400	Cool..TY Nikon... was picking local FS peeps brain just about 10 minutes ago and got same answer... FINALLY found a guy at local FS who doesnt have his/her head up their butt.... will do some more research in the meantime...

09/07/2009, 03:00 PM	#16
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	Hi, I can't quite tell from the pic but is it a space issue that requires the similar size footprint as your current light fixture? The reason I ask is because I'm wanting to suggest to you to take a look in the dyi section (or ask in the reef discussion section by posting) for what's called a "floating canopy". It's a diy hood which can take a t5 fixture and hang it above the tank , yet still have it look like a hood. It makes it easier for maintaining a tank with the lighting a bit out of the way, and heat will be less of an issue. And A floating canopy setup may give you more space for a ballast. There are a handful of folks in those two reef central sections who have this lighting setup, with pics and instructions, etc. Addionally, and in my opinion, 36w for that tank, with those dimensions, aren't going to work for keeping corals. Which leads me to the question; have you thought about vho t5 bulbs? They'll at least get you in the right ballpark PAR-wise. Or, maybe led is a better option for your spatial requirements. Led can give you more par than 18w bulbs in the same space. Vho t5 and led can (and has Benny) used alone in a floating canopy Good luck! __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine Last edited by IridescentLily; 09/07/2009 at 03:22 PM.