Diy t5 and kessil hybrid

[RedneckReefer68]

Had an aquaticlife t5 fixture I want using. I started brainstorming and took the reflectors out of it to see if I could mount my kessil in the center where the vents where. After moving some ballasts and led boxes around this is what I came up with. It allowed me to still use all 4 bulbs surprisingly.

 

[jasonandsarah]

Pretty cool, are the bulbs blocking the Kessil at all?

 

[RedneckReefer68]

If they are it's not enough to tell a difference. The color combinations this mod makes is never ending. Before the kessil just way to much shimmer for me because my gyre is angled up. Now it reminds me of mh and no shadows

 

[clee36]

i was always thinking of doing something like this. can u post more pics?

 

[RedneckReefer68]

What would you like pics of?

 

[Shep]

Is there any problem with the heat from the T5 and messing with the kessil?

 

[RedneckReefer68]

None that I noticed.. But I am running it without the splash guard

 

[clee36]

If you have pics of the underneath and how the kessil sits?

 

[RedneckReefer68]

Kessil actually sits on the reflectors.. I used a 2.5 inch while saw bit and drilled through. If you have the aquaticlife fixture you will have to remove the reflectors and reposition the ballasts to the outside. To do that the led drivers will have to be moved toward the middle of the fixture then move the other long black box to where the led drivers where. That makes room in the center of the fixture for the kessil to sit

 

[s2nhle]

I am also interested to see the underneath and how the kessil sits.

 

[nmertz1]

I literally have the same lights. I used pipe straps to mount the kessils right to the T5. Best combo I've ever had.

 

[hybridazn]

Great idea! But I like others am wondering how the heat will affect the kessil long term. I would probably throw an extra fan in their just to be on the safe side

 

[nmertz1]

Mine are mounted to the outside of the t5. Just felt the fixture and it's not even warm to the touch so I'm sure the kessils are fine. However, not sure how the OP would be