t5 retro fit kit in home made canopy

jeeptp75 · 02/08/2006, 09:43 PM

How tough is it to put together and mount the Sun TEK T5 retro fit kit into your own home made canopy. I was thinking of buying the full hood kit but realize it would probubly be better to get the retro kit since I have always wanted to put together a canopy for my tank.

Also is there a certain way I should make sure I build the canopy to make putting the retro fit kit in easier?

Thank You

kakan · 02/08/2006, 10:55 PM

Installing the retro isn't really hard at all. The hardest part would be the wiring but the ballast has the diagram Right on it and all the wire slots on the ballast are colour coded with the wires.

Also one thing to remember when you are building the canopy is the bulbs need to be close to the water mine are about 2 3/4" above the water's surface.

HTH
Kakan.

horkn · 02/08/2006, 11:15 PM

the bulbs dont have to be close to the water.

thats the old thought on t5ho setups.

some run as much as 8 inches off the water, with no ill effects.

me being one of them.

jeep, why the tek retros? you do know that by going with the aqualux reflectors and parts that you will save money and have a better setup. the aqualux reflectors persorm the same as the icecaps, at less cost than either the tek or the icecap.

jeeptp75 · 02/09/2006, 08:11 AM

I just started searching retro kits yesterday when I changed my mind from getting a hood and going with canopy set up with a retro fit kit. I didnt even look into the aqualux set up yet. I just was hearing so much about the TEK's that i was focusing on them. Do you know where the best price on Aqualux prducts is online? Thank You.

Ten33 · 02/09/2006, 08:22 AM

I am also doing a retro T5 kit for my 180. I will likely be purchasing the aqualux reflectors and parts for this setup. Here is the link... http://www.aqualuxlighting.com/

jeeptp75 · 02/09/2006, 08:26 AM

So your saying just buy there reflectors then purchase all the parts seperately instead of buying a complete retro fit kit. Im assuming doing this will end up being alot cheaper.

jeeptp75 · 02/09/2006, 08:28 AM

If I plan on running 4 54 watt bulbs, what wattage ballasts do I need. I wanted to run two power cords and off on switch's like the hoods do so im assuming I need two ballasts.

jeeptp75 · 02/09/2006, 08:31 AM

After reading a bit more I answered my own question on the ballast question. Now Im thinking that if I purchase everthing from Aqualux( reflectors, ballasts, sockets, power cords) the only other thing I will need is the wire from ballasts to sockets, does that sound right?

jeeptp75 · 02/09/2006, 08:37 AM

i just seem to be typing to myself aimlessly but after putting everything I need in my cart from aqualux the totaly is $302.92.
reefgeek.com sells the TEK retro kit for $299.00. Both include bulbs and so on. Is the Aqualux system far superiour?

dwdenny · 02/09/2006, 08:43 AM

The reflectors are better then the TEK. If you search for the thread called "the great reflector by The Grim Reefer it has them as th reflector X and seems to be almost as good as the IC. Plus they clean up better the the TEK from what I here. I will be using them when I purchase my stuff hopefully very soon. lolo

HTH
Doug

horkn · 02/09/2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeeptp75
i just seem to be typing to myself aimlessly but after putting everything I need in my cart from aqualux the totaly is $302.92.
reefgeek.com sells the TEK retro kit for $299.00. Both include bulbs and so on. Is the Aqualux system far superiour?

i will lend you a hand after work and i will figure out what you need. pm me what length and how many bulbs you want, along with the bulb selection.

if you an search for a thread "the great t5 reflector glarathon" by the grim reefer, the aqaulux are neck and neck with the icecap as far as PAR output. the tek reflectors are 10% lower par at a distance close to the waters surface compared to aqualux and icecap, and further down in the tank 20" IIRC, the icecap and aqualux are 20% better at PAR than the tek. plus, the reflectors do clean up mighty easy, and the reflectors alone will save you money over the other two brands..

jeeptp75 · 02/09/2006, 09:17 AM

Sorry search is off right now but I will keep that in mind and search it when I can. Thanks for the quick replies.

horkn · 02/09/2006, 12:40 PM

it seems you basically need to pay for a search..

when it does work, i need to bookmark that thread. i reference it a lot.

jeeptp75 · 02/09/2006, 12:48 PM

Im noticeing that now. Unless you pay, you never get to use it.

Chef · 02/09/2006, 04:18 PM

I have been able to use the search at 4 in the morning....... How stupid IMO

02/08/2006, 09:43 PM	#1
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	t5 retro fit kit in home made canopy How tough is it to put together and mount the Sun TEK T5 retro fit kit into your own home made canopy. I was thinking of buying the full hood kit but realize it would probubly be better to get the retro kit since I have always wanted to put together a canopy for my tank. Also is there a certain way I should make sure I build the canopy to make putting the retro fit kit in easier? Thank You

02/08/2006, 10:55 PM	#2
kakan Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Commerce MI Posts: 486	Installing the retro isn't really hard at all. The hardest part would be the wiring but the ballast has the diagram Right on it and all the wire slots on the ballast are colour coded with the wires. Also one thing to remember when you are building the canopy is the bulbs need to be close to the water mine are about 2 3/4" above the water's surface. HTH Kakan. __________________ Remember, if the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy. {Red Green} Current Tank Info: 90g AGA Mixed Reef, 20g sump, Eheim 1260 Return, ER RS180, Reeflow dart & OM 4way, 2x250w MH, RK2 Controler

02/08/2006, 11:15 PM	#3
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	the bulbs dont have to be close to the water. thats the old thought on t5ho setups. some run as much as 8 inches off the water, with no ill effects. me being one of them. jeep, why the tek retros? you do know that by going with the aqualux reflectors and parts that you will save money and have a better setup. the aqualux reflectors persorm the same as the icecaps, at less cost than either the tek or the icecap. __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

02/09/2006, 08:43 AM	#10
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	The reflectors are better then the TEK. If you search for the thread called "the great reflector by The Grim Reefer it has them as th reflector X and seems to be almost as good as the IC. Plus they clean up better the the TEK from what I here. I will be using them when I purchase my stuff hopefully very soon. lolo HTH Doug __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

02/09/2006, 12:40 PM	#13
horkn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: milwaukee wisconsin Posts: 4,125	it seems you basically need to pay for a search.. when it does work, i need to bookmark that thread. i reference it a lot. __________________ people write stupid things in this space Current Tank Info: 200g DIY wood reef, 2x 250w SE 10k MH 2x80 t5ho, 75g sump, Geo Ca RX, ASD 6" recirc skimmer

02/09/2006, 08:11 AM	#4
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	I just started searching retro kits yesterday when I changed my mind from getting a hood and going with canopy set up with a retro fit kit. I didnt even look into the aqualux set up yet. I just was hearing so much about the TEK's that i was focusing on them. Do you know where the best price on Aqualux prducts is online? Thank You.

02/09/2006, 08:22 AM	#5
Ten33 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jupiter, S.E. Florida Posts: 242	I am also doing a retro T5 kit for my 180. I will likely be purchasing the aqualux reflectors and parts for this setup. Here is the link... http://www.aqualuxlighting.com/

02/09/2006, 08:26 AM	#6
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	So your saying just buy there reflectors then purchase all the parts seperately instead of buying a complete retro fit kit. Im assuming doing this will end up being alot cheaper.

02/09/2006, 08:28 AM	#7
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	If I plan on running 4 54 watt bulbs, what wattage ballasts do I need. I wanted to run two power cords and off on switch's like the hoods do so im assuming I need two ballasts.

02/09/2006, 08:31 AM	#8
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	After reading a bit more I answered my own question on the ballast question. Now Im thinking that if I purchase everthing from Aqualux( reflectors, ballasts, sockets, power cords) the only other thing I will need is the wire from ballasts to sockets, does that sound right?

02/09/2006, 08:37 AM	#9
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	i just seem to be typing to myself aimlessly but after putting everything I need in my cart from aqualux the totaly is $302.92. reefgeek.com sells the TEK retro kit for $299.00. Both include bulbs and so on. Is the Aqualux system far superiour?

02/09/2006, 09:17 AM	#12
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	Sorry search is off right now but I will keep that in mind and search it when I can. Thanks for the quick replies.

02/09/2006, 12:48 PM	#14
jeeptp75 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 415	Im noticeing that now. Unless you pay, you never get to use it.

02/09/2006, 04:18 PM	#15
Chef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Va Beach Posts: 34	I have been able to use the search at 4 in the morning....... How stupid IMO