DIY 6X54 t5 fixture...pictures please

[andy.thompson12]

hi all,

I am frustrated at the moment because I cannot find any good pictures on people's diy t5 projects. I type t5 into all these forums and sites and ALL I GET is LED. So I am building essentially a 6 X 54 watt fixture, but I don't think I want a "canopy" I just want to build a nice looking fixture (this week). Could anyone please direct me to or post pictures of theirs?

[THE ROOK]

You can buy a Tek 6x54 for near the cost of the parts to diy. Don't see the need to diy this unless you are trying to fit inside a canopy or have an custom sized tank.

[andy.thompson12]

ummm...well actually no. A TEK runs at ~$390...I got an icecap 660 on ebay for $100, so I got everything else...and I ended up spending $320...so that's a big difference

[ORayRay]

Originally Posted by andy.thompson12

ummm...well actually no. A TEK runs at ~$390...I got an icecap 660 on ebay for $100, so I got everything else...and I ended up spending $320...so that's a big difference

A TEK light runs $313.99 and around $315 shipped (most places have free shipping), so if you have already spent $320 you could of already had a tek shipped to you, unless that $320 include buying bulbs, but it sounds like you want the satisfaction of building your own fixture, so have at it.

Ive done a DIY MH fixture and ive looked for diy T5s and you are right that there are not too many builds without a canopy, but they are out there and I would suggest a google search, and to get ideas ive taken mulitple trips to hardware stores and hydroplonics stores to get ideas.

But heres what I would do if I was making it, I would make a simple rectangle frame out of angle alum to hold the reflectors, endcaps and ballasts, then cut 4 sheets of black acrylic to cover all the sides of the frame, and get drywall screen/mesh paint it black and cut it to sit flush in the acrylic frame. It would be easy to construct and i think would look pretty good

[THE ROOK]

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ight_Fixtures/

[Clifford04]

I bought a refurb NovaExtreme 6x48" t5 fixture on ebay for 200 bucks...Consider your options. I researched diy'ing a t5 fixture and realized its pretty much the same, possibly more to diy it..

[ebross67]

It can be more to do a DIY project. If you all ready have some parts (ballast, caps, et..) it's definitely cheaper. I don't think your going to find fixture type builds. Most people buy fixtures or build hoods. You could easily build a low profile hood (5-8in). A simple flip top style.

[andy.thompson12]

yeah the $320 is including the bulbs

I tried buying a nove extreme pro (I think 6X54) on ebay for $175...I was the only bidder, then the last 7 minutes were CRAZY and everyone was bidding. I tried to enter my last bid at the last 10 seconds but another person bid. So this was my next best bet, then I could get good reflectors too

[Clifford04]

Originally Posted by andy.thompson12

yeah the $320 is including the bulbs

I tried buying a nove extreme pro (I think 6X54) on ebay for $175...I was the only bidder, then the last 7 minutes were CRAZY and everyone was bidding. I tried to enter my last bid at the last 10 seconds but another person bid. So this was my next best bet, then I could get good reflectors too

Could've been me My bad...

[jmait769]

Here is my T5 light fixture build thread I built way back in 06: Here

Still up and running! It is only a two bulb fixture but you could just extend the dimensions to accommodate the extra bulbs.




HTH

Jay

[chimmike]

320 includes your individual reflectors too?

[uncleof6]

Originally Posted by THE ROOK

You can buy a Tek 6x54 for near the cost of the parts to diy. Don't see the need to diy this unless you are trying to fit inside a canopy or have an custom sized tank.

While what you are saying, and being echoed, by others, is technically true, you are comparing a DIY fixture to low end production fixtures. Provided you are not drinking the ad cool aid, and wasting your money on IceCap ballasts, with careful selection of reflectors, (aquactinics) and high quality lamps (ATI/Giessemann) -- and just a little more than a casual approach to active cooling, you will have a fixture that can rival the performance of top end fixtures. When viewed from this perspective, the cost savings are considerable. The only things lacking would be the fancy packaging, and the ATI logo.

Jim