DIY Lighting - Need Advice (1 Viewer)

[haze_9]

Ok. The husband has asked what I want for Christmas. And well I wanna redo my lighting on my 125 gallon tank. What I have is inadequate, an energy hog and hot. Currently I have 2x250w MH with Magnetic ballasts over the tank.

I am seriously thinking of switching to T5s. From my calculations I believe I should need 8x54W T5s. Am I right? Tank is 72 inches, how do I handle that? When I built my hood I built it with converting in mind. OR should I stick with MH and just change out the ballasts to Electronic ones and instead of 2 make it 3x250?

For T5 Where is the best place to get:

Ballasts
Endcaps
Reflectors

Are they hard to wire? I am pretty good at wiring things up but well I am by no means an expert.

Ok I think I asked everything. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[Tempset]

If you'll invest in 2 sets of 36" light fixtures, you'll cover your 72" tank perfectly.

Side by side, 36" lights cover 72" areas.

Here's a strong recommendation for what you should get.

It's a little pricey - but I assure you that once you've GOT this over your tank, you'll not have to worry about growing anything in the saltwater realm again.

http://www.bestgrowlights.com/site/403863/product/FSSI960020

I purchased their 48" 8 bulb fixture and LOVED IT...

http://www.bestgrowlights.com/site/403863/page/765534

If you have any questions about anything in this topic (or any other, feel free to give me a call or txt or email).

 

[haze_9]

Pout.... Yeah those are nice! I have heard really good things. Unfortunately 2 are out of my price range at the moment. Have to keep saving...

Now I see that that has 6 bulbs. Is that enough?

 

[Tempset]

Now I see that that has 6 bulbs. Is that enough?

Technically, 4 bulbs can grow whatever you like. But it's always better to have more. My tank is only deep(front to back) enough for 8bulbs, or else I'd install more.

 

[haze_9]

Ahh I see. If I decide to go with DIY methods what would be good T5 ballasts?

 

[lilred1995vette]

They are easy to wire and you can get them from reefgeek.com or many other sites. Id run 36in 39w t5s if you go t5 route. run 2 rows 5, so 10 total or 8 if you prefer to save cost.

T5s looks great,but i liked the added growth i got with my 250s and imo looked better.

I tired running same setup when i had my 210 and wasnt happy with it and went back to 3 250w mh and loved it with 14k bulbs.

 

[texasreefer]

I would use the T5's if you are changing lighting. The price difference between the old tar and ballast MH compared to the electronic ballasts is too much to make up for in the difference in power consumption. I have the old mh ballast and I can get them cheap and figure the extra cost in power is way less than the difference in price for the electronic ones and the power savings.

 

[haze_9]

Yay!! I got my Christmas bonus from my bosses!! They were VERY good to me this year!!

I found a brand new light on line and thinking of ordering...

Does anyone know anything about ...Aqua Vim? Here is what it is and says.

Aqua Vim is known for not only making the best reef tanks with glass, but also, for designing the best light systems for reef aquariums.

This 72" long, 8-bulb, 640-watt, Super Thin, T5HO lighting fixture is another example to show how far Aqua Vim can go to please reef keeping hobbists and their pets beyond competitors' ability.

Any advice?

 

[Tempset]

The light you found is also here:

http://www.aquavim.com/light fixtures.htm

I, personally, have never heard of the manufactuer.

For $500+ and no bulbs? I'd rather throw my $$ towards a tek light.

I also don't think you'll enjoy seeing that 'rack' system above your tank. Go to the hardware store & pick up necessary hardware for suspening light from ceilings.

Just 1 hobbyists opinion.

 

[haze_9]

Actually that comes with all the bulbs. still bad? and I will not use the mount kit since I have a canopy and will suspend inside there.

 

[Tempset]

If you see value in that light fixture, I say go for it.

It's just not my style. If I had $500 to spend, and I had a canopy, I'd try to create a retro fit system with 16-36" bulbs.

Then again, with proper reflector's, proper ballasts & proper bulbs: you'd be hard pressed to keepit under $500.

 

[Kemah]

If you are going to buy T-5's and retro fit them into a canopy dont wast your money on a whole unit just buy Ice Cap 660 retro fit kits, here is a link to them from a marsh sponsor. I actually just got two of these today to put over my new 120.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=28_124_203

with this you can put them how you want them and you can pick different kits 2, 4, or 6 by 36 inches. Also in my opinion and many others that I have spoken with, these are the best T-5 ballasts you can get.

 

[haze_9]

Ok after much research I have decided that you are right Tempset. I am going to retrofit a set.

So one last question. You said "I'd try to create a retro fit system with 16-36" bulbs."

What is the difference between 8x80W 60" t5ho and a 16x39w 36" t5ho? Every where I read 80w is equivalent to 2-39w. 8x80 comes out a bit better on price.

Also any info on bulbs? combo of bulbs ect?

 

[Tempset]

What is the difference between 8x80W 60" t5ho and a 16x39w 36" t5ho? Every where I read 80w is equivalent to 2-39w. 8x80 comes out a bit better on price.

As far as wattage goes, there is no difference.

Investing in six 80watt bulbs would be a better cost option because you'll only use 16 endcaps whereas if you went with 36" bulbs, you'd have to double your endcap count thus raising the cost.

I simply wasn't taking into consideration that 80watters existed. I've seen so many 36" long tanks that it forms the habit of recommending usage of 36" bulbs.

However, if you ever decide to step DOWN in the hobby and get a smaller tank, you'll already have the right size lightng.

So all in all, I'd go with the 80watt bulbs and their respective ballasts.

Also any info on bulbs? combo of bulbs ect?

if your doing eight bulbs, you've got lots of room for choice & options.

Keep the following factors in mind:
1. The more whitish-yellowish bulbs you get(6,500kelvin, 10,000kelvin) a
- the faster your corals will grow, but they'll look more yellow & brown.
2. The more blue the color of bulb you install(14,000kelvin, 20,000kelvin, pure actinic) - the more color your corals will exhibit. But you'll have slower growth.

In my last 8bulb T5 fixture I used I had 6 pure actinic & 2 aquablue's(which are white in color to the human eye).

Honestly, you won't even notice a blue hue on any bulb that isn't pure actinic(just my opinion here).

On MY T5 setup I had 1 power cord & 2 switches. Switch 1 controlled the inner 4 bulbs while switch 2 controller the outer 4 bulbs.

I wanted the option of being able to view my tank in a purely actinic spread at the touch of a button, so I put 4 pure actinic's on the outer bulbs slots and then I did an alternating mix of pure actinic & the aquablue bulbs on the inner 4 bulbs. Don't put 2 NON actinic bulbs next to each other.

Lemme know if this helps. If your a bit confused, I can easily get you a picture.

 

[haze_9]

Ahh Wonderful That all makes perfect sense. Thank you SOOO much for your help in all this!!!! I owe you one.

 

[Tempset]

I owe you one.

The only thing you owe me is a slew of pics so we can ALL get an idea of what's going on in that tank.

 

[haze_9]

You got it! I will do before and after! And I think I will do my wiring process since this is on DIY.

Ok for those who want a part and price break down... I went to www.aquariumspecialty.com and bought:

4 x T5 Retro Fit Kit 2 x 80 Watt

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_128_449&products_id=2635

6 x ATI T5 80 Watt 60" True Actinic 03

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2185

2 x ATI T5 80 Watt 60" 12000K Aquablue Special

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_39_401&products_id=2183

Total was $803 after shipping ect.

Build pics will follow when they arrive!

 

[haze_9]

Update! Lights arrive Monday!

 

[haze_9]

Well since the lights arrive Monday I decided to start building the frame.

This build has inspired me: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...cts/60578-niko-s-inspired-t5-retro-light.html

Here are a few pics of my progress:




1/6 x 1.5 x 8 Aluminum Angle (Yay it won't rust!)


First Corner made. Not Perfect but it is square. Marked out a 90 degree angle, cut it with a hack saw and bent it. Easier than I thought it would be.


1/2 of frame finished. My canopy measures 71 inches inside so I am making this thing 70 inches long. Going to stagger the bulbs like in the build link I posted. Should keep even lighting across the tank. The middle supports for the staggering will be aluminum square tubing to run the wires through. Keep everything clean looking.

Feel free to comment on the design.

 

[haze_9]

DIY T5 Retro-Fit

Here is the initial frame after making all the corners. After using a hacksaw my arm is tired...lol



See my little supervisor on the end?