T5HO DIY Lighting Fixture - Advice?

Perched Urchin · 01/15/2010, 03:16 PM

I am in the planning stage of my first reef aquarium.

I have always been a fan of deep aquariums (front to back, not top to bottom) and I am thinking of going with the Marineland 45g (24x24x18) or 60g (24x24x24) cube. I have been thinking of building a custom stand and hood for the tank (my other expensive hobby is woodworking).
I have been looking at various lighting options (T5HO or metal halide) and I came across a 24x24 6 tube T5HO retrofit kit that, I believe, would be fantastic for either of these cubes.

Being new to this though, I want to make sure there are no "gotchas" that I should know about. Your comments on the following or just your own thoughts/experiences with DIY lighting would be appreciated!

Basics on T5HO:
- With 6 bulbs (of the right type), would I have plenty of light for SPS's if I wanted to keep them?
- Is there anything special with the reflectors or ballasts used in lights made specifically for aquaria? The reflector I found is manufactured of "95% Enhanced Aluminum".
- I notice some ballasts come with heat sinks, others don't. Does this matter for my application (especially if I can decide where the ballast goes)?

Potential Design:
- I know most fixtures with multiple bulbs use a combination of daylight and actinic colors. With 6 bulbs, would there be a third color/type that I should/could use? Since I am building, I will use separate ballasts for the different bulbs, so I could go with either 2 or 3.
- With that much light, how far away from water surface is ideal to maximize light without causing heat issues?
- Could/should I build into the hood an acrylic sheet that would sit between the light fixture and the water surface (in lieu of the glass canopy) to keep splashes and acrobats out of the lights? I have read that clear acrylic has almost the same refractive properties as water, so that would mean it wouldn't impact the "quality" of the lighting, right? If I did this, I would probably add additional ventilation to keep the heat from building up in the hood.

If this, or a similar retrofit kit, would work, it would be great. If I am building a hood, it just seems silly to spend additional $ on a full fixture.

Thanks for the input!

drparker · 01/15/2010, 04:06 PM

There is a thread in the lighting forum dedicated to T5 lights. I'm reading through it now, full of great info and advice. I'm still in learn mode so won't parrot what I've just read. Check it out http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1706461

reefscape15 · 01/15/2010, 05:51 PM

I'd get 3 seperate 2-blub ballasts. I would run 1 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI 12k Aquablue on one ballast, 1 Giesmann Actinic Plus and 1 Giesmann Pure Actinic 03 on one ballast, 1 UV Lighting 12k and 1 UV Lighting 14k on the last ballast. Use all individual reflectors and build the whole thing into your hood. Don't use a glass or acrylic cover, but do use 2 fans; 1 blowing in one end, and 1 blowing out the other end. You can paint the inside of the canopy white if you want, but with the reflectors in place, it wouldn't really make much of a difference. Build the canopy at least 12" tall, and place the bulbs anywhere from 6-12" off the water.

I don't know if that's all the questions you had, but hopefully it helps a little bit. I feel that the above bulb selection is the best of the best for each company.

PRICE BREAKDOWN:

3 Ballasts - $40-$135each, extended price -- $120-$400 (depending on what you decide to use)

3 Pairs Endcaps/Mounts - $45

6 - 24" Reflectors -- $120

6 - T-5 Blubs -- $20ish each --- Extended price - $120

Misc Electrical - maybe $15-$35

TOTAL PRICE : $415 - $750

Honestly, it is cheaper to buy a 6 bulb fixture, but the bulbs that come with a fixture usually are not what you want. All the fixtures that I've seen come with half 10k or 12k, and half 460nm Actinics. Building it yourself will give you the option of having GREAT bulbs right from the start. For the extra money, I feel that it's worth it to DIY your canopy with the lighting that you want rather than just hang a fixture above your tank.

reefscape15 · 01/15/2010, 05:54 PM

Darn! I forgot about the fans, which can run from $35-$75, and also seperate timers for each ballast, which probably wouldn't come to more than $30

reefscape15 · 01/15/2010, 05:58 PM

Also......forgot to mention, that all the pricing came off of reefgeek.com

This is where I would buy from. The company is a good supporter of Reef Central, and has good prices. They carry very quality products no matter what your looking to buy.

Perched Urchin · 01/15/2010, 10:19 PM

Thanks Jim.
I am curious why you suggest separate reflectors. I was actually thinking of using a single large one that would house all 6. Would there be too much light loss with that design?

reefscape15 · 01/16/2010, 07:09 AM

Individual reflectors will provide SOOOO much more light that's being directed into your tank than using a single parabolic reflector. It's well worth the money invested in the reflectors, and will let you keep SPS with much less effort.

01/15/2010, 03:16 PM	#1
Perched Urchin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Plain City, Ohio Posts: 390	T5HO DIY Lighting Fixture - Advice? I am in the planning stage of my first reef aquarium. I have always been a fan of deep aquariums (front to back, not top to bottom) and I am thinking of going with the Marineland 45g (24x24x18) or 60g (24x24x24) cube. I have been thinking of building a custom stand and hood for the tank (my other expensive hobby is woodworking). I have been looking at various lighting options (T5HO or metal halide) and I came across a 24x24 6 tube T5HO retrofit kit that, I believe, would be fantastic for either of these cubes. Being new to this though, I want to make sure there are no "gotchas" that I should know about. Your comments on the following or just your own thoughts/experiences with DIY lighting would be appreciated! Basics on T5HO: - With 6 bulbs (of the right type), would I have plenty of light for SPS's if I wanted to keep them? - Is there anything special with the reflectors or ballasts used in lights made specifically for aquaria? The reflector I found is manufactured of "95% Enhanced Aluminum". - I notice some ballasts come with heat sinks, others don't. Does this matter for my application (especially if I can decide where the ballast goes)? Potential Design: - I know most fixtures with multiple bulbs use a combination of daylight and actinic colors. With 6 bulbs, would there be a third color/type that I should/could use? Since I am building, I will use separate ballasts for the different bulbs, so I could go with either 2 or 3. - With that much light, how far away from water surface is ideal to maximize light without causing heat issues? - Could/should I build into the hood an acrylic sheet that would sit between the light fixture and the water surface (in lieu of the glass canopy) to keep splashes and acrobats out of the lights? I have read that clear acrylic has almost the same refractive properties as water, so that would mean it wouldn't impact the "quality" of the lighting, right? If I did this, I would probably add additional ventilation to keep the heat from building up in the hood. If this, or a similar retrofit kit, would work, it would be great. If I am building a hood, it just seems silly to spend additional $ on a full fixture. Thanks for the input!

01/15/2010, 05:51 PM	#3
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	I'd get 3 seperate 2-blub ballasts. I would run 1 ATI Blue Plus and 1 ATI 12k Aquablue on one ballast, 1 Giesmann Actinic Plus and 1 Giesmann Pure Actinic 03 on one ballast, 1 UV Lighting 12k and 1 UV Lighting 14k on the last ballast. Use all individual reflectors and build the whole thing into your hood. Don't use a glass or acrylic cover, but do use 2 fans; 1 blowing in one end, and 1 blowing out the other end. You can paint the inside of the canopy white if you want, but with the reflectors in place, it wouldn't really make much of a difference. Build the canopy at least 12" tall, and place the bulbs anywhere from 6-12" off the water. I don't know if that's all the questions you had, but hopefully it helps a little bit. I feel that the above bulb selection is the best of the best for each company. PRICE BREAKDOWN: 3 Ballasts - $40-$135each, extended price -- $120-$400 (depending on what you decide to use) 3 Pairs Endcaps/Mounts - $45 6 - 24" Reflectors -- $120 6 - T-5 Blubs -- $20ish each --- Extended price - $120 Misc Electrical - maybe $15-$35 TOTAL PRICE : $415 - $750 Honestly, it is cheaper to buy a 6 bulb fixture, but the bulbs that come with a fixture usually are not what you want. All the fixtures that I've seen come with half 10k or 12k, and half 460nm Actinics. Building it yourself will give you the option of having GREAT bulbs right from the start. For the extra money, I feel that it's worth it to DIY your canopy with the lighting that you want rather than just hang a fixture above your tank. __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

01/15/2010, 05:54 PM	#4
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Darn! I forgot about the fans, which can run from $35-$75, and also seperate timers for each ballast, which probably wouldn't come to more than $30 __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

01/15/2010, 05:58 PM	#5
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Also......forgot to mention, that all the pricing came off of reefgeek.com This is where I would buy from. The company is a good supporter of Reef Central, and has good prices. They carry very quality products no matter what your looking to buy. __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

01/16/2010, 07:09 AM	#7
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Individual reflectors will provide SOOOO much more light that's being directed into your tank than using a single parabolic reflector. It's well worth the money invested in the reflectors, and will let you keep SPS with much less effort. __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

01/15/2010, 04:06 PM	#2
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	There is a thread in the lighting forum dedicated to T5 lights. I'm reading through it now, full of great info and advice. I'm still in learn mode so won't parrot what I've just read. Check it out http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1706461

01/15/2010, 10:19 PM	#6
Perched Urchin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Plain City, Ohio Posts: 390	Thanks Jim. I am curious why you suggest separate reflectors. I was actually thinking of using a single large one that would house all 6. Would there be too much light loss with that design?