T5 upgrade...

[gc9n]

i bought a ballast for T5 lights.. also 2 Sylvania aquastar T5 10.000K

for the ballast i open a thread to a Greek forum and i like to hear you opinion too...

i purchase this product http://www.arcadia-uk.info/product.p...n=en&sub=&id=4
Arcadia Electronic Controller for 2 T5 lights for 180$


Some people told me that i made the wrong choice and i could buy electronic ballast separately cheaper
look here for example
http://www.aquazone.gr/forums/index....pe=post&id=642
http://www.aquazone.gr/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=642

 

[grisha]

hi
i think that you will need to add reflector. common opinion- separate parabolic reflectors are the best.
similar 2 lamp + reflector retro -$100-120 from Tek by sanlight supply. known to be very good
best you can get IMO is icecap ballast. you can put up to 4 bulbs
also icecap 660 overdrive the bulbs you can get more watt out of the bulb. icecap makes top notch t5 reflectors
there is a great t5 thread on this forum
do the search option

 

[fritz]

I've tried these T5 HO ballasts
http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=23&FID=15&level=1

I got my reflectors, bulbs and endcaps from:
http://diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?name=Icecap%20SLR%20T5%20Reflector%20for%201-54W%20Bulb&products_id=172

I've also used the icecap 660 ballast and as was stated it overdrives the bulbs. The color is "off" when overdriving them and they run VERY HOT. You have to incorporate a means of blowing air over the bulbs or the PAR drops and the bulb life drops considerably. In my opinion all T5s should have air blown over them for best performance. I've seen test on the TEK fixtures showing much better performance when air cooling the bulbs vs. running them stock.

I guess you would also have to get some adpaters/converters to run ballast made for the US over there.

 

[grisha]

wow thanks frits for heads up on the heat problem
im trying to put 4 39 watts on 40 breeder and do not want to have any heat

I've tried these T5 HO ballasts
http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=23&FID=15&level=1

I got my reflectors, bulbs and endcaps from:
http://diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?name=Icecap SLR T5 Reflector for 1-54W Bulb&products_id=172

I've also used the icecap 660 ballast and as was stated it overdrives the bulbs. The color is "off" when overdriving them and they run VERY HOT. You have to incorporate a means of blowing air over the bulbs or the PAR drops and the bulb life drops considerably. In my opinion all T5s should have air blown over them for best performance. I've seen test on the TEK fixtures showing much better performance when air cooling the bulbs vs. running them stock.

I guess you would also have to get some adpaters/converters to run ballast made for the US over there.

 

[gc9n]

is there any plans for canopy? with wood?

 

[grisha]

http://ozreef.org/diy_plans/lighting/t5_lighting_hood.html

 

[NYreefNoob]

T5

i have the tek t5 retro kit's for my 44g i have 3 set's but only going to run 2 of them. tank wont be up and running for about 2 week's but ill let you know how they look. i also have 2 4"fans that will be pulling air across them that are temp controlled

 

[gc9n]

in photos the lights are T8, now i upgrade them with 2 T5 & 2 T8 actinic... the Hood it's custom by me, from plywood and black paint outside, Inside it's dressed with aluminium tape ,,, the problem now is that i have some temperatures problems... and in summer days will be worst... i think I’ll attach some computer case fans for blowing the lights...

the mechanism of the hood it's from kitchens lights that rises the lights Up and Down.... its ok but i want hood to be more steady and practical while i feed the fishes and make water changes , so i think about to change this cabriole look, to a some kind of closed model
so i need your ideas... Maybe illl screw it with two bars to the wall