Some advice from the t5 experts

[!v@n]

I have been thinking about going completely with t5's. I came across some t5 ballasts for 48" bulbs. Unfortunately all the reflectors I have seen are too wide to fit as many lights as I would like in my canopy. I was thinking of maybe just cover the whole lid in mylar, or polished aluminum and essentially make it one giant reflector. Would this work? Any other suggestions? I would like to keep sps, so I know I need good lighting. Below is a rough drawing of what I want to do. The dimensions inside the canopy I have to work with are 60" x 15" and it is a flat back hex shape



Thanks

[vinny73]

You can contact sunlight supply and see if you can buy a replacement reflector for one of those TEK T5 8 bulb lights. Those reflectors are made up of 4 double reflectors. They just overlap on the edgebends. T5 bulbs do not have internal reflectors like VHO's do. You want to direct the light downwards. By doing the mylar, I believe you will have alot of light loss. IceCap and TEK reflectors will illuminate your tank by 300% more than without. I have some reflectors we can set next to each other to make it work. If anything, maybe bend them inwards a little bit.

[!v@n]

most of the individual reflectors I have seen today were around 3" wide, would essentially need reflectors that are about half that. Lets make something work Vinny, I know we can fab something up

[NGN8DOGG]

pretty sure ice caps are 2.5. If you cant fit them all with reflectors I would atleast put as many as you can. The ind reflectors make a HUGE difference

[!v@n]

That would only let me do 6 bulbs in there. Would that be enough light?

[NGN8DOGG]

whats the dims on your tank?

[!v@n]

60" x 18" at the deepest point x 24" tall

[NGN8DOGG]

IMO I think you will can grow whatever you want

[!v@n]

cool, I will probably do 6 bulbs then if I will still be able to keep pretty much anything. 3x actinics and 3x 10k's. Or what configuration would you recomend?

[NGN8DOGG]

4 blue plus 2 aquablue

[!v@n]

thanks for the suggestion. much appreciated

[RussM]

Overdrive those bulbs w/ IC660 ballasts, and you'll have plenty of light for anything. Running 6x54w (overdriven to about 80w) on my 120, and it's blazing!

[!v@n]

Im getting free ballasts, so can't really complain. They are standard 54w t5 HO. what bulb configuration do you use Russ?

[RussM]

Im getting free ballasts, so can't really complain. They are standard 54w t5 ho

Free is good! You can always upgrade to 660s later if/when your lighting needs increase.

[!v@n]

cool, now i just need to get reflectors and buy bulbs. Thanks for your input Russ. What bulbs do you use?