DIY Led / T5 (just want shimmer)

[dburt520]

Currently have 4 T5's and 3 250W Metal Halides in a 180 gallon reef and I am getting ready to reboot it. I am going to remove the MH's and keep the retrofit T5's in my hood with plans to add another pair (will be 6 total).

I am wanting to add some DIY Led's into my canopy just to add some shimmer to my tank - I love the look of T5, but the lack of shimmer bugs me.

I have looked at the Reefbrites, however if I were to go that route I might as well purchase 3 Kessil's (which is an option of course).

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

 

[Crabs McJones]

Currently have 4 T5's and 3 250W Metal Halides in a 180 gallon reef and I am getting ready to reboot it. I am going to remove the MH's and keep the retrofit T5's in my hood with plans to add another pair (will be 6 total).

I am wanting to add some DIY Led's into my canopy just to add some shimmer to my tank - I love the look of T5, but the lack of shimmer bugs me.

I have looked at the Reefbrites, however if I were to go that route I might as well purchase 3 Kessil's (which is an option of course).

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

If you want shimmer, Kessil is most definitely the way to go. I have a pair of A360WE's over my tank, and the shimmer is unmatched in my opinion.

 

[pelphrey]

I agree, the Kessil shimmer is amazing. I've looked at other lights, but I can't give up the shimmer I get with the Kessils. I am running two 160's in between two 36" T5 Blue+ bulbs.

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef Verified Sponsor]

+1 for the Kessils. The shimmer is gorgeous and with their small form factor, you can easily run several t5s on either side.

 

[Crabs McJones]

+1 for the Kessils. The shimmer is gorgeous and with their small form factor, you can easily run several t5s on either side.

I've been thinking of going this route. Right now I have just the kessils. But i'd like to get 2 T5's to suppliment. Not sure how i'd do it though.

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef Verified Sponsor]

I've been thinking of going this route. Right now I have just the kessils. But i'd like to get 2 T5's to suppliment. Not sure how i'd do it though.

What we ended up doing is attaching the kessils to a length of aluminum C-channel and then suspending the C-channel from the ceiling. You can easily add a small piece of Flat bar stock going perpendicular to the C-channel on either end and secure the t5's onto that.

 

[Crabs McJones]

What we ended up doing is attaching the kessils to a length of aluminum C-channel and then suspending the C-channel from the ceiling. You can easily add a small piece of Flat bar stock going perpendicular to the C-channel on either end and secure the t5's onto that.

That's actually a great idea! I'll look into it, Thanks!

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef Verified Sponsor]

That's actually a great idea! I'll look into it, Thanks!

Be sure to share some pics of the finished product

 

[JDNels]

I`m planning to do 2 160 and 4 T5 using the Kessil controller for both.
The new Aquatic life BYO T5 fixture looks interesting

 

[pelphrey]

I used the SunBlaster T5 HO 36" fixture on my 3' tank ( http://amzn.to/2evmjPD ).

This new hyrbid fixture coming out later this year maybe - https://blog.marinedepot.com/2017/0...quatic-life-t5holed-hybrid-light-fixture.html

Not the best images in the world. I have some better pictures in my build thread. I built the light mount out of 8020.

 

[JDNels]

I used the SunBlaster T5 HO 36" fixture on my 3' tank ( http://amzn.to/2evmjPD ).

This new hyrbid fixture coming out later this year maybe - https://blog.marinedepot.com/2017/0...quatic-life-t5holed-hybrid-light-fixture.html

Not the best images in the world. I have some better pictures in my build thread. I built the light mount out of 8020.

Great looking DIY, is that 80/20?, dont know if I could deal with the light spill, might do mine in floating canopy

 

[Crabs McJones]

I used the SunBlaster T5 HO 36" fixture on my 3' tank ( http://amzn.to/2evmjPD ).

This new hyrbid fixture coming out later this year maybe - https://blog.marinedepot.com/2017/0...quatic-life-t5holed-hybrid-light-fixture.html

Not the best images in the world. I have some better pictures in my build thread. I built the light mount out of 8020.

That is awesome! And thank you for the links!

 

[Mal11224]

I used the SunBlaster T5 HO 36" fixture on my 3' tank ( http://amzn.to/2evmjPD ).

This new hyrbid fixture coming out later this year maybe - https://blog.marinedepot.com/2017/0...quatic-life-t5holed-hybrid-light-fixture.html

Not the best images in the world. I have some better pictures in my build thread. I built the light mount out of 8020.

Nice setup Pelphrey. Looks like LETs. How do you have them suspended?

 

[Scurvy]

My ATI hybrid solution. Love the Kessils!

 

[pelphrey]

Great looking DIY, is that 80/20?, dont know if I could deal with the light spill, might do mine in floating canopy

I have a 48" piece of 8020 coming up behind the stand. From there it goes over the tank and branches out to hold the lights. I actually never intended to add T5's to my system, otherwise I would have seriously considered a floating canopy. We are only home for an hour before the T5's go off so it isn't that bad, well except on the weekends! I very well could lower the entire mount and that would reduce some of the light. But honestly its just never bothered me or my family.

That is awesome! And thank you for the links!

My pleasure!

Nice setup Pelphrey. Looks like LETs. How do you have them suspended?

Thanks! I am running two of the SunBlaster T5 HO 36" fixtures http://amzn.to/2evmjPD

Here are some pictures before I added the second (front) T5 fixture.

 

[JDNels]

Yea the 80/20 works great hang my T5 from same

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Currently have 4 T5's and 3 250W Metal Halides in a 180 gallon reef and I am getting ready to reboot it. I am going to remove the MH's and keep the retrofit T5's in my hood with plans to add another pair (will be 6 total).

I am wanting to add some DIY Led's into my canopy just to add some shimmer to my tank - I love the look of T5, but the lack of shimmer bugs me.

I have looked at the Reefbrites, however if I were to go that route I might as well purchase 3 Kessil's (which is an option of course).

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

Either way you've chosen will work very well.
I'd also look or meter your halides, you'll probably want to math the intensity of the old lights.
I believe the reefbrights pack more punch than the 360s. I've only metered the blue version not the 50/50.
witch one has the best spectrum is speculative for both.