Best T5 retrofit kits?

michaelrc51 · Feb 16, 2016

I'm sure I am beating this horse to death but I have read a vast amount of different things on which T5 retro fit kits are the best quality. What are your suggestions or experiences?

My plans are for my 225 gallon tank with a canopy of ID of just over 72"x27" is to use LEDs and T5s.
I purchased 2 Kassil AP700s and now I am thinking to mount T5s all around them and possibly even a reefbrite or 2 if I have the room.

KingTriton · Feb 16, 2016

No personal experience but these look nice.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hamilton...ofit_Kits-Hamilton-HT01247-FILTRTRFTF-vi.html

michaelrc51 · Feb 16, 2016

KingTriton said:
No personal experience but these look nice.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hamilton...ofit_Kits-Hamilton-HT01247-FILTRTRFTF-vi.html

Yeah, just looking for the T5s. Guess I should've specified, looking for narrow styles

ksfulk · Feb 16, 2016

I've used the Miro T5 kits a couple of times and I really like the "plug and play" aspect to them. Instructions are clear and the reflectors are top notch! I just added them to my 125 with some AI Hydras. The reflectors are seperate in this 2 bulb kit, so you can manipulate them as needed.

DLuce510 · Feb 16, 2016

Depends on what your willing to spend. You could spend a lot on a kit or build your own, I built 2 lamp dimmable t5's for under $100. Made 2 of them and run them with 3 AI Hydra's.

michaelrc51 · Feb 16, 2016

I asked for the best, didn't give any price point. Looking for opinions on the best one?

DLuce510 · Feb 16, 2016

Well my opinion would be the one you could most customized at the best price.

redfishbluefish · Feb 16, 2016

As far as overdriving T5's, you can't beat IceCap (now sold by Coralvue). I was told they push a 54 watt bulb up to 80 watts. That's what I used when I ran T5's.....6 bulbs (ATI's) with IceCap ballasts, endcaps and reflectors.

michaelrc51 · Feb 16, 2016

DLuce510 said:
Well my opinion would be the one you could most customized at the best price.

By best I mean best made. Doesn't have to be the highest price point but best quality/ longest lasting , disregarding price?
I am sure there are normal low quality and high quality ones.....

michaelrc51 · Feb 16, 2016

redfishbluefish said:
As far as overdriving T5's, you can't beat IceCap (now sold by Coralvue). I was told they push a 54 watt bulb up to 80 watts. That's what I used when I ran T5's.....6 bulbs (ATI's) with IceCap ballasts, endcaps and reflectors.

Thanks, looking for information like this

DLuce510 · Feb 16, 2016

michaelrc51 said:
By best I mean best made. Doesn't have to be the highest price point but best quality/ longest lasting , disregarding price?
I am sure there are normal low quality and high quality ones.....

Just trying to help based more on my experience more than opinion.[emoji4] Take it or leave it. The one I built has preformed excellent and is dimmable compared to retrofit kits.

michaelrc51 · Feb 16, 2016

DLuce510 said:
Just trying to help based more on my experience more than opinion.[emoji4] Take it or leave it. The one I built has preformed excellent and is dimmable compared to retrofit kits.

I know, thanks for the input.
Didn't mean to come off like a d***, I was just looking for the best constructed ones regardless of price. Your's look good.....I would just ask if you had unlimited budget would you get something different or do exactly what you did?

DLuce510 · Feb 16, 2016

michaelrc51 said:
I know, thanks for the input.
Didn't mean to come off like a d***, I was just looking for the best constructed ones regardless of price. Your's look good.....I would just ask if you had unlimited budget would you get something different or do exactly what you did?

If I had unlimited budget I'd have a 8 bulb ATI! Haha! I'd probably do it the same, I found its the ballast that makes the difference not how I hang the bulbs! Good luck on your new build![emoji4]

AllSignsPointToFish · Feb 16, 2016

DLuce510 said:
Depends on what your willing to spend. You could spend a lot on a kit or build your own, I built 2 lamp dimmable t5's for under $100. Made 2 of them and run them with 3 AI Hydra's.

I am interested in knowing how you did this. Can you please elaborate more and possibly supply a parts list?

DLuce510 · Feb 16, 2016

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
I am interested in knowing how you did this. Can you please elaborate more and possibly supply a parts list?

I hope this helps anyone who wants to enjoy the Beauty of t5's, it took some trial and error.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-dimming-t5-fixture.226925/

michaelrc51 · Feb 16, 2016

DLuce510 said:
I hope this helps anyone who wants to enjoy the Beauty of t5's, it took some trial and error.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-dimming-t5-fixture.226925/

Nice job on that.
Actually I would like them to be dimmable and Apex controlled!
hhhhmmm?

So, like I said before I have the 2 AP700s and I/m going to put the T5s but part of the reason I am asking this question is I'm trying to lay out everything . I have 72" distance so I had thoughts of putting 60" down the sides and then using a few 24" going the opposite way across each end. Then I also got a but crazy and thought about breaking up those 60" runs and fit as many 24" going across at each end and in the middle and then fitting 36" or whatever I can next to the AP700s.
Oh yeah, and stuffing a 72" reefbrite down each side.

tigerdragon · Feb 16, 2016

Look at reef brite t5 ho retrofits

michaelrc51 · Feb 16, 2016

tigerdragon said:
Look at reef brite t5 ho retrofits

OK.
I think I called them a month or so ago and wanted dimensions on them and they weren't very helpful.
They are actually local to me but I have to buy them through a distributor