29 with t5-'s is up

[suver569]

Well, sorta. Tank is full and lights are in. That's it though :P

Working on some rock as we speak, but I wanted to show the t5 power for anyone that is interested. This is one 24" 24 watt bulb running on a workhorse 7 ballast. I plan on changing out the cheapie stock hood for a custom built or a nice powder coated one soon.

It's actually quite a bit more purple, this looks very blue. Still very nice so far.

[T. VO]

How many bulbs do you plan on placing on your tank and how much does the lighting cost?

[suver569]

I'm planning on 4 24" (over time, as money permits of course).

The ballast is a workhorse 7 from ebay, around 40 bucks shipped.

The 24" bulbs from Aquatic are 22.99 each for any color, cheaper if you look on the internet. I think around 18.99 on ebay, but with shipping, winds up being about the same as AW.

Lots of guys are swearing by t5's, so I thought I'd give it a shot on my newest tank.

I have a 2-175W metal halide setup I MAY setup on this tank, depending on what I wind up stocking in it. Still not 100% sure I want to hassle with another MH...The heat, and the expensive bulbs.

It's hard to see from this pic, but I just gutted the stock lampholders and ballast from the hood, and screwed down the t5 holders. I mounted the workhorse ballast to the back for now, but I'll build a rack that mounts below the tank later.

[T. VO]

Do you have the reflectors for these lights? I've read that the perfomance of these bulbs drop dramatically without the use of them?

[suver569]

Not yet. I have a chunk of sheet metal at work that I'm going to bring home and polish up and cut to fit inside there. This is just temporary till I can buy a real hood.

[elgordoinavw]

Suver569, Hey how many 24" t5's can you run off a single workhorse ballast 7? because I sure I read that you are using a workhorse 7 for 2x96. If a workhorse 7 runs 2-96 why not just rig up 3x55 watters for the 29?

[suver569]

Workhorse 7 will run 4 lamps in any configuration up to 220 watts. The reason I went with the t5's was mainly to test the t5's. I use pc's on my 55 gallon, which are nice. I use pc's on my 7 gallon, which is also nice.

But so far, with one 24 watt t5 on my 29 gallon, it by far looks better and the light is much more intense than in my 55 gallon with 2x96 watts.

I very well could hook up, say, 4x55 watt pc's on the 29, but like I said, this is mainly an experiment with t5's for my personal knowledge.

I read several articles a while back regarding t5's, on there lumen output, and a big thing for me, there heat output. I had the ballast on for about 6 hours, and it was still cold to the touch. Not cool, but cold. This is a big thing for me because I havent invested in chillers, and dont plan to if the t5's dont produce heat like pc's or vho's. If when I have 4 24 watters hooked up, the ballast is still running cool, i'll switch over to all t5's on all my tanks.

I really like the color and intensity of the t5's so far. They just seem to be a crisper, cleaner looking light output compared to pc's.

[elgordoinavw]

How much does a workhorse 7 run? also if the 7 can power up to 220 watts and each t5 is 24 watts is it possible to run say 6-8 t5's or will it only run a total of 4 lamps. will it power vho?

[suver569]

the workhorse 7 will run any lamp, t12, t10, t8, t5, NO, HO, VHO, PC and Circline in any combination from 1-4 lamps, any wattage up to 220 watts max.

For example, on my 55 i have 2x96 and a 30 watt NO bulb = 192 watts of PC + 20 watts of NO which is 212 watts total.

On my 29 gallon, I have 1 24 watt T5, which T5's are considered HO.

4 bulbs max, and 220 watts max in any combination you can think of. It's a versatile ballast, and is pretty much bulletproof.

I have 3 now, and will never spend the money on the icecap ballast. Overpriced for the same, if not less than what the Workhorse ballast can do...IMO of course.

[suver569]

Ok, updated with a reflector and another 24W 24" t5. Working on another set of t5 lamp holders. The waterproof ones are about useless, so I'm picking some more up from work. Also gonna order a new 29 gallon hood to fit the tank, so that'll house all of the bulbs. It's about 10x brighter with the reflector and new bulb. It's very blue though. May offset it with a 70w Mh or a 10k bulb. Oh, top bulb is the actinic plus from D and D bulbs, the bottom is the true actinic from D and D bulbs.

http://www.D-daquariumsolutions.com

[suver569]

2 more pics.

[suver569]

Very blue. Will look cool when it's stocked.

[SD619]

What are the Kelvin ratings on those bulbs you're using?

Do they make T5 bulbs in a white light to offset the blue color emmitting from the bulbs you're using?

Also, do you know if T5 Bulbs are made for smaller applications like 5g-10g nano reefs?

It seems like you'd be able to save a lot on energy costs using T5 bulbs over Power Compacts.

[suver569]

Originally posted by SD619
What are the Kelvin ratings on those bulbs you're using?

Do they make T5 bulbs in a white light to offset the blue color emmitting from the bulbs you're using?

Also, do you know if T5 Bulbs are made for smaller applications like 5g-10g nano reefs?

It seems like you'd be able to save a lot on energy costs using T5 bulbs over Power Compacts.

Not 100% sure, but they are the true actinic, and actinic plus bulbs. Somewhere in the 20k range If I'm not mistaken.

They do make them in different colors, including 10k, 6500k, pretty much any combo except 50/50 like pc's.

I think the smallest they come is 18", so you could squeeze that in a nano if you were creative.

From everything I read, the energy consumption on the t5's is ALOT less, and the heat produced by them is so minimal, it's not even funny. My pc's are cooking hot, while the t5's, I can leave on all day and pull them out while they're on with my bare hands.

Another good thing is that the t5 bulbs are roumored to keep there output up to a year or longer, where pc's and vho's deteriorate after 6 months, and have to be replaced. All theory so far, we'll see in the long run.

[SD619]

Thanks for the answers. I've been contemplating about using T5s on a 20L reef tank that I plan to set up. I think the 24" bulbs would do just fine.

Could you post a couple more pictures on your actual light set up and wiring? Or maybe a diagram of the whole thing...or if you're feeliing really generous...a whole DIY article on it!

I plan on using a workhorse 7 ballast with at least x2 T5 bulbs and maybe an MH supplement. I'm just not sure what to buy along with the T5 bulbs; i.e., what type of base, lamp holders, reflectors, etc.

[suver569]

Sure, i'll whip up a crude drawing later tonight. I'm going to be picking up a 29 gallon real wood hood tonight, so I'll be swithcing it over to that probably tonight, maybe tomorrow. I'll post the pics on that.

[suver569]

Ok, got a used hood from David M. BTW, he makes very nice stands and hoods. If your looking for one, he can hook you up.
This hood was a used one, but it works just as well. I used the old reflecter that was in the hood, but i'll be replacing it today after I bend up a new one.

[suver569]

Here's some pics with an explination of how it was done.

[suver569]

Closer up view of the lamp holders. I know the reflecter is dirty, quit reminding me...

[suver569]

Close up of it in action.

[suver569]

With flash. It's insanely blue. Going today and adding a daylight bulb.

[suver569]

No flash. This is pretty much what it really looks like. It's darn near 100% brighter than with the old ghettofied striplight retro I had. It's hard to even look at it right now.

[ninhsavestheday]

looks great dan.. the good thing about t5s are when you need more light you can slap more on..saves NRG and virtually no heat..

danano from nano-reef.com has this sweet 30 gallon setup with 5 t5s....

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24522&highlight=danano

[suver569]

That tank is sweet for sure. I've been thinking about SPS lately, but I want to read up on them more to find out if i'm ready.

[SD619]

Hi, Dan. Are there any updates to this setup yet?

[suver569]

No new lights yet, but will be adding another 2x24 watters this week. A 175 watt MH is in the works, not 100% sure I want to do it yet. I dont plan on keeping any more than zoo's and shrooms in this tank, so it might be overkill. Here's a few recent pics with another 5lbs of rock. The top round piece with a hole in it is man made stuff from OG, so are the pieces all the way to the right side. VERY LIGHT, big pieces. It's the only stuff i'll buy now.

Here's a link to my zoo's. They're a little more orange, but you get the idea.
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094

[SD619]

Kinda off topic...but those rocks look very interesting. Can you tell us a little more about them? You've got some really good shapes there. What's their weight like compared to natural LR?

[suver569]

they are SUPER light compared to most LR. I got alot of it from OG. It's mostly aquacultured. I'd say it's on average, 30% lighter than other rocks the same size. Well worth it IMO. Ron said this will be mostly what he is going to be ordering from now on, so look for it at OG. It usually has a hole, or cave in the middle, so it's easy to pick out.

[SD619]

Thanks, Dan.

I also noticed that you DIY'ed your own reflector for the T5 fixture. I've been debating on wether I should do the same or order 4 reflectors from somewhere online. Those reflectors are supposed to increase the light output by 300%! If I were to DIY my own reflector, it would probably just be a regular rectangular shape with angled side bends.

Do you think a DIY would be efficient enough or are the "online" reflectors really worth it?

Ron

[Flamehawk]

looking good, suver569.

Just setup a 4 T5 bulbs setup my self for my refugium/frag tank(~35-40 gallons). Kind my little expereiment too, I figure I will give it a try.

2 sun bulb, and 2 actinic. They are 39w bulbs. They have their individual reflectors, ran with ice cape 660, and mounted in a fan cooled pendant that used to house 4 96w PC. I did buy water proof end capes, but since it is mount inside a pendant I just remove the part that's water proofing the bulb's contacts.

Sorry no digi cam, can't show you.

[SD619]

Originally posted by Flamehawk
looking good, suver569.

Just setup a 4 T5 bulbs setup my self for my refugium/frag tank(~35-40 gallons). Kind my little expereiment too, I figure I will give it a try.

2 sun bulb, and 2 actinic. They are 39w bulbs. They have their individual reflectors, ran with ice cape 660, and mounted in a fan cooled pendant that used to house 4 96w PC. I did buy water proof end capes, but since it is mount inside a pendant I just remove the part that's water proofing the bulb's contacts.

Sorry no digi cam, can't show you.

Well, at least it SOUNDS like a good setup. You're lucky that you have that 96W pendant to mount it in. I'm trying to work out measurment to build a 24"-30" sliding rail canopy. And then I have to see if I can fit 4x T5 bulbs into it.

[Flamehawk]

while back I bought the pendant setup from a friend used, and sold the 2 pair of 96w pc as retro. Than I kept the pendant for this purpos.

If you going to use sun light supply's individual reflector for each bulb, you can have 4 bulbs in an area of 24" x 10". Each bulb is less than 24" in length and with the reflector takes up about 2.5 inches in width.

So with 30" x 24". you can spread the bulb out a bit or add MH if you want to or add more T5s.

[suver569]

The reflector that is in there now is an old one, but I'm working on a DIY reflector. I actually bought one that was made for the t5, and it looks no different than any other reflector, it just cost twice as much. Hard to justify spending 40 bucks on reflectors, when I can make one myself. I'll post pics of it when it's finished.

[Trickman2]

I am running two 48 inch t5 on my tank they are awesome. Just a heads up I have read and heard that the workhorse ballast are not designed for t5 bulbs and may decrease the lifespan on the bulbs. You may want to look into a ballast by Universal lighting its a Traid b254PUNV-D.

T5 are amazing and very good on the electric bill

[suver569]

Thanks trick, I'll call up fulham and find out what's up with that. I heard they run t5's just fine, but I'll read around and see what I find on it.

[Trickman2]

Try reefcentral

[Trickman2]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=326087&highlight=T5+workhorse+ballast


Here is your answer :)

[Trickman2]

http://www.innovativelights.com/

Got my ballast and kit from here

[suver569]

Here's a recent pic with about 20lbs of rock added. It's seriously full, but i'm fairly happy with it. Might move some rock around later.

[Trickman2]

Very nice

[SD619]

Here's a PDF on the different T5HO ballasts available from Triad.
http://www.universalballast.com/literature/flyers/t5_elec_ballast_2k1.pdf

It looks like each ballast can only handle 2 bulbs at a time. Suver569, You'll need two B224PUNV-C ballasts for your four bulbs.

It's too bad the B228PUNV-C ballasts don't work for our applications because I found this on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41499&item=3821150081&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[Trickman2]

http://www.universalballast.com/literature/navigator/navigator_index_pdfs/2_37.pdf

Are you Sure they won't

[suver569]

Free from work :D

I grabbed this ballast the other day, and threw it under my tank. I knew it would run t5's, but didnt really look at it till just now. Looks like a good score. I can get these for free.

[suver569]

Originally posted by Trickman2
http://www.universalballast.com/literature/navigator/navigator_index_pdfs/2_37.pdf

Are you Sure they won't

Check the wattages on the list there, I think those are odd numbers. They are probably for the U shaped bulbs, or some other application. I bet they would work to overdrive the regular t5's though.. Hmm, might make a call about that.

[SD619]

Well, that chart says that it'll power F14, F21, F28, and F35T5 Lamps. It doesn't say if we CAN or if we CAN'T use the ballast for F24T5 Lamps.

[SD619]

It's really hard to make out what ballast that is Suver. It physically looks like a Triad ballast, but I can't make out the part number. That's great that you can get those for free...time for a hook up for your fellow SDREEFers =)!

On a non-DIY note...does anyone know if those fixtures from Innovative Lighting Systems actually come with bulbs? They don't give you the option on which bulbs you want when it comes time to check out. I was just wondering cause these guys charge way too much as it is, but they do have those nice fixtures...

[suver569]

Originally posted by SD619
Well, that chart says that it'll power F14, F21, F28, and F35T5 Lamps. It doesn't say if we CAN or if we CAN'T use the ballast for F24T5 Lamps.

Yep, sure doesnt..I'm thinking that this ballast is going to over or underdrive the 24 watt. I'll probably call monday to find out. If they overdrive, might be worth a shot to run a few 24 watt bulbs on that ballast, overdrive them by 4 watts. That's only about 16% overdrive if they work that way....Hmm, might be alot for a little 24 watt bulb to handle. I'll call them.

[suver569]

Originally posted by SD619
It's really hard to make out what ballast that is Suver. It physically looks like a Triad ballast, but I can't make out the part number. That's great that you can get those for free...time for a hook up for your fellow SDREEFers =)!


It's the exact same ballast, same sticker, just a different company name. Companies like to do that, especially ballast companies. But triad and universal are the same ballasts.

[suver569]

See here.

[SD619]

Suver, if your plan works out on overdriving those 24W bulbs, it might be a good idea to track that ebay auction I posted. Five ballasts for $30 bucks and free shipping seems like a good deal, but not better that free!

[SD619]

Originally posted by suver569
See here.

Whoa, thats a B254PUNV-D ballast. Uhh, those are made for the 46.5" 54W Lamps. Be careful if you try to use those with the 24W lamps. That would be a lot more than just a 16% overdrive.

[suver569]

Yea, noticed that just now. So it'll run 2x48" bulbs. Well, I'll see if i can get the smaller ones. Pretty sure I can.

[suver569]

Originally posted by Trickman2
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=326087&highlight=T5+workhorse+ballast


Here is your answer :)

Well, I figure the lifespan on the t5 is so long anyways, if the workhorse shortens it a bit, no biggie. I already plan on replacing them at least every year, and they are supposed to last 1.5 years. Time will tell.