t5 physical length

spazthecat · 08/15/2009, 10:55 AM

Hi,

I was going to change out my PC lighting with t5s and was wondering how long the 48 inch bulbs are with the end caps. My lighting enclosure has an interior width of exactly 48 inches.

If the bulbs are 48 inches from pin to pin, doesn't look like they will fit.

Thanks,

Andy

james3370 · 08/15/2009, 12:02 PM

retrofit kits show 46.8" & bulbs show 45.8".....according to reefgeek.com

check them out if you are wanting to do retrofits in a canopy. they have about the best prices around & their kits include your choice of bulbs in the price. they have all the popular brands & very low shipping prices as well

all their retrofit kits: http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kits/

for a 75 (per your sig) that is 48x18, a 6-bulb kit would work perfect. you have a few options:

1) get a 6-bulb kit that has (3) standard ballasts here $449
2) get a 6-bulb kit that has (2) icecap 660 ballasts to overdrive all the bulbs here $609
3) get a 2-bulb standard ballast kit for the actinics & a 4-bulb icecap 660 kit for the daytime bulbs here & here $159 & $359

i personally think option 2 is a bit overkill....no sense over-driving the actinics, so that leaves option 1 or 3. then it depends on what you want to keep......light demanding sps corals, clams on the sandbed, etc then go w/ option 3. otherwise option 1 will be plenty sufficient

keep in mind that over-driving the bulbs will get you more light out of them (probably 80w each instead of 54w) but it will also mean that you will need to cool them directly w/ a fan & also they will be need to be replaced sooner (about every 9-12 months vs 12-18 months).

cooling them is best achieved by having a pc fan blowing front to back of all the bulbs over their "hotspot"...which is the end of the bulb where the writing is at. this will be much better than a fan blowing lengthwise down the bulb & will help keep them cool which = longer bulb life

hope that is all helpful

08/15/2009, 10:55 AM	#1
spazthecat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pickerington, OH Posts: 220	t5 physical length Hi, I was going to change out my PC lighting with t5s and was wondering how long the 48 inch bulbs are with the end caps. My lighting enclosure has an interior width of exactly 48 inches. If the bulbs are 48 inches from pin to pin, doesn't look like they will fit. Thanks, Andy

08/15/2009, 12:02 PM	#2
james3370 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: US ARMY - El Paso TX Posts: 3,678	retrofit kits show 46.8" & bulbs show 45.8".....according to reefgeek.com check them out if you are wanting to do retrofits in a canopy. they have about the best prices around & their kits include your choice of bulbs in the price. they have all the popular brands & very low shipping prices as well all their retrofit kits: http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...Retrofit_Kits/ for a 75 (per your sig) that is 48x18, a 6-bulb kit would work perfect. you have a few options: 1) get a 6-bulb kit that has (3) standard ballasts here $449 2) get a 6-bulb kit that has (2) icecap 660 ballasts to overdrive all the bulbs here $609 3) get a 2-bulb standard ballast kit for the actinics & a 4-bulb icecap 660 kit for the daytime bulbs here & here $159 & $359 i personally think option 2 is a bit overkill....no sense over-driving the actinics, so that leaves option 1 or 3. then it depends on what you want to keep......light demanding sps corals, clams on the sandbed, etc then go w/ option 3. otherwise option 1 will be plenty sufficient keep in mind that over-driving the bulbs will get you more light out of them (probably 80w each instead of 54w) but it will also mean that you will need to cool them directly w/ a fan & also they will be need to be replaced sooner (about every 9-12 months vs 12-18 months). cooling them is best achieved by having a pc fan blowing front to back of all the bulbs over their "hotspot"...which is the end of the bulb where the writing is at. this will be much better than a fan blowing lengthwise down the bulb & will help keep them cool which = longer bulb life hope that is all helpful __________________ Yes I hear voices in my head, but they speak spanish so I can't understand anything they say. there's no place like 127.0.0.1 It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful.... Current Tank Info: currently tankless....but planning an AIO Last edited by james3370; 08/15/2009 at 12:21 PM.