Adding T5 to PC: Lighting Diagram!

[Saraja87]

I've been toying with the idea of adding a few T5 bulbs into my lighting system which is currently 4x65 watt PC over 110 gallons (30 inches deep). Some people consider that set up high light, others mid light, etc

I was thinking it would help me get denser plant growth, especially stem growth. They wouldn't have to all run at once.

Right now I have:
2 x 6700k/10,000k 65 watt PC
2 x 7100k blue 65 watt PC

Do people every mix T5 and PC? Or do people usually stick with one lighting type? If I did add some, I would want to do it piece by piece to save $$.

Where do most people go to buy ballasts, bulbs, end caps and really good reflectors?

Good idea? Crazy idea?

[epicfish]

30" is pretty deep. What kind of PC setup do you have now? AHS retrofit?

It's your tank, you can run whatever you want.

www.reefgeek.com, www.hellolights.com, www.aquabuys.com for most/all of your DIY needs.

If you're looking for the "best" reflectors, check out the IceCap SLR reflectors. I don't think Aquactinics has released their reflectors for DIY projects, but those are pretty darn good too. You may find the TekII reflectors to be a bit wide, but if you can fit them, they'll do a nice job.

As for ballasts, you can run T5s with Workhorse ballasts. They weren't specifically designed to run T5, but they'll do a good enough job.

[Saraja87]

I have a sunpaq retrofit right now and I'm really pleased with their reflectors but I think the plants might appreciate a bit more lighting.

What do you think? More PC or T5? I've never used T5's before so I don't know what kind of power they pack. Originally I was thinking of adding either 2 more 55 watt PC or 4 more 55 watt PC to be really crazy.

Would the T5s be better than the PCs? If so, how much wattage should I add?

I have enough room to add 4 more reflectors and bulbs if they're 21inches long or two 48 inch long reflectors with bulbs.

Originally Posted by epicfish

30" is pretty deep. What kind of PC setup do you have now? AHS retrofit?

It's your tank, you can run whatever you want.

www.reefgeek.com, www.hellolights.com, www.aquabuys.com for most/all of your DIY needs.

If you're looking for the "best" reflectors, check out the IceCap SLR reflectors. I don't think Aquactinics has released their reflectors for DIY projects, but those are pretty darn good too. You may find the TekII reflectors to be a bit wide, but if you can fit them, they'll do a nice job.

As for ballasts, you can run T5s with Workhorse ballasts. They weren't specifically designed to run T5, but they'll do a good enough job.

[lauraleellbp]

Depends on which T5s you're looking at; T5HO or NO, and the quality of the reflectors.

T5HOs are pretty powerful. I run no more than 108watts at a time over my low tech 90gal, and if I run 108watts for too many hours a day I'll start getting algae issues.

[epicfish]

Add 2x 54W T5HOs to your system with a Workhorse 5 ballast.

What about your existing PC lighting, is there one switch for all 4 bulbs or two switches?

[Saraja87]

Two switches, each control 2 bulbs so in theory I could have all 6 bulbs (4 pc and 2 new T5HO) come on for a burst during the middle of the day and then have just 4 of them on in the morning and evening.

[epicfish]

Hm, each bulb has it's own reflector then? So 4 reflectors for the current PC setup?

[lauraleellbp]

Sounds like a good setup to me.

I'd probably run the T5HOs for 8-10 hours a day, then add in the PCs for a "noon burst", my thinking is:
1- T5HO bulbs last much longer than PC bulbs
2- They are more efficient than running the 4 PC bulbs.

[epicfish]

I don't know if you can move the retrofit reflectors around still, but I'd lay out the PC and T5 reflectors to have as even lighting as possible.

I would have 2x PC + 2x T5 run most of the day with the other 2x PC run for burst lighting like you planned. Oh, and obviously you realize that this is a LOT of lighting for a tank, even at 30". Keep the CO2 up and the tank densely planted.

[Saraja87]

Would this guy here work? It looks cheaper than putting all the individual parts in my basket lol.

http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchan...oduct_Count=22

[lauraleellbp]

That's an awesome deal!

Epic, I think this might be the solution in that other thread, too...

[Saraja87]

One issue: they don't seem to carry 54watt 21 inch T5HO bulbs? All their 54 watt bulbs are 48 inches?

[epicfish]

21" 54W T5HO bulbs don't exist.

[Saraja87]

Ohhhh, I misread the kit. I thought they came like PC lights where the 65/55 watt bulbs were always 21 inches. These are two 48 inc bulbs, 2 48 inch reflectors right?

[epicfish]

Yes, correct.

They're also back-ordered. Give them a call or email to ask if they'll ever get it back in stock. AquaBuys sometimes lists things as "back ordered" indefinitely and then one day, it'll disappear from the site.