Coralife aqualight Pro MH?

bestreef · 12/31/2007, 11:15 AM

i have Coralife aqualight pro 48" 150watt MH with 2 x 96 watt actinic PC fixture, Can i convert two 96 watt PC in to two t5?

dwl · 01/01/2008, 05:57 PM

anyone have any input about this?

MHannon · 01/01/2008, 06:35 PM

Hmm, you would have to cut off the old PC endcap (there's only one) then you would have to splice in 2 endcaps for the T5 bulb. This would require some butchering of the fixture since you need to run the wire for the other endcap to the other end of the fixture. A 48" T5 bulb is 54 watts, so you would probably have to swap out the ballast. It seems like a lot of work, for a small upgrade. IMO.

bestreef · 01/01/2008, 08:26 PM

thank you for all input! happy new year!

MHannon · 01/01/2008, 08:28 PM

No problem

dwl · 01/01/2008, 08:37 PM

OK, just a couple of thoughts. Won't the 96W ballasts be fine with 45W HO T5's, aren't they usually overdriven by the IceCap's to this wattage anyawys?
Couldn't one simply plub pins into the PC's endcap and wire directly to the T5 endcaps?

Just some thoughts.

MHannon · 01/01/2008, 08:50 PM

Yes, if you leave the ballast, it will be over driven by 40 some watts. This is a pretty good amount and will really shorten the life of the bulb. And I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to about wiring the pins to the endcap. You would have to cut off the pin connector leaving just the wires, then splice those wires to the endcap. And since T5s are double ended, unlike PCs, you will have to run another wired endcap to the other end of the light fixture. Also, securing the endcaps to the fixture will be a problem. I dont know if there is anything to mount it to. IMO, It isn't worth the trouble. It isn't that big of an improvement.

12/31/2007, 11:15 AM	#1
bestreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Toronto Posts: 37	Coralife aqualight Pro MH? i have Coralife aqualight pro 48" 150watt MH with 2 x 96 watt actinic PC fixture, Can i convert two 96 watt PC in to two t5?

01/01/2008, 06:35 PM	#3
MHannon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (Cecil County) Posts: 800	Hmm, you would have to cut off the old PC endcap (there's only one) then you would have to splice in 2 endcaps for the T5 bulb. This would require some butchering of the fixture since you need to run the wire for the other endcap to the other end of the fixture. A 48" T5 bulb is 54 watts, so you would probably have to swap out the ballast. It seems like a lot of work, for a small upgrade. IMO. __________________ "Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway." Current Tank Info: AGA 90gal W/ megaflow, 75gal sump in basement, Mag18 return, Vortech MP40 & MP10, six bulb 48" 54w TEK T-5, ASM G-3 W/ gate valve mod, softies, LPS, SPS, clams, lots of live rock & sand, & a 12 Gallon Nano Cube Deluxe w/ 70watt halide

01/01/2008, 08:28 PM	#5
MHannon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (Cecil County) Posts: 800	No problem __________________ "Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway." Current Tank Info: AGA 90gal W/ megaflow, 75gal sump in basement, Mag18 return, Vortech MP40 & MP10, six bulb 48" 54w TEK T-5, ASM G-3 W/ gate valve mod, softies, LPS, SPS, clams, lots of live rock & sand, & a 12 Gallon Nano Cube Deluxe w/ 70watt halide

01/01/2008, 08:50 PM	#7
MHannon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (Cecil County) Posts: 800	Yes, if you leave the ballast, it will be over driven by 40 some watts. This is a pretty good amount and will really shorten the life of the bulb. And I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to about wiring the pins to the endcap. You would have to cut off the pin connector leaving just the wires, then splice those wires to the endcap. And since T5s are double ended, unlike PCs, you will have to run another wired endcap to the other end of the light fixture. Also, securing the endcaps to the fixture will be a problem. I dont know if there is anything to mount it to. IMO, It isn't worth the trouble. It isn't that big of an improvement. __________________ "Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway." Current Tank Info: AGA 90gal W/ megaflow, 75gal sump in basement, Mag18 return, Vortech MP40 & MP10, six bulb 48" 54w TEK T-5, ASM G-3 W/ gate valve mod, softies, LPS, SPS, clams, lots of live rock & sand, & a 12 Gallon Nano Cube Deluxe w/ 70watt halide

01/01/2008, 05:57 PM	#2
dwl Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: mission viejo Posts: 524	anyone have any input about this?

01/01/2008, 08:26 PM	#4
bestreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Toronto Posts: 37	thank you for all input! happy new year!

01/01/2008, 08:37 PM	#6
dwl Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: mission viejo Posts: 524	OK, just a couple of thoughts. Won't the 96W ballasts be fine with 45W HO T5's, aren't they usually overdriven by the IceCap's to this wattage anyawys? Couldn't one simply plub pins into the PC's endcap and wire directly to the T5 endcaps? Just some thoughts.