Making a t-5 led hybrid

[Kershaw]

ok so today I started my kessil t5 combo.
Kessil a360w x2 @ 375$ = 750

Aquaspace 48" mh hood 25$

36" t5 retro fit kit 10$

So first off I do not it intend to have the entire tank lit equally at this moment and I am still debating on going to 48inch t-5. But I think it's important to have some darker spots in the tank for different coral and fish. I am also looking into 4 T5 bulbs instead of two. I plan to run ati blue plus or full actinic.

I bought the kessils 2.5 years ago new. Every thing else I got today.

Plan is to cut two holes for kessils where the mh bulbs where. Then attach the retro fit kit to the flat spots.

i am going to sand off the rust that is on the end peices, then rough up the paint and repaint gloss white to match my stand.

A question
should I use the glass that covered the MH ?

Any other suggestions is appreaciated

 

[Kershaw]

Gutted and put back together. Weights about 50lbd lighter

 

[Grimreaperz]

Following

 

[Kershaw]

Depending on work this week. I hope to get the holes cut for the kessils, and exact locations for t5s. I am also don't want to hang the light, but I may have to if I can not find a way to make legs that don't look terrible. The idea is to replace the ugly conduit hangers that I have my kessils hanging from

 

[Kershaw]

So I marked out where the kessils will go. The light is 47.5 inches long. So I decided to make the kessils have a distance of 16" on center. That will allow just under 16" left on each side from center of kessil.
I also took a closer look at the t5s. I think I will be recessing the t5s into the light as seen in pictures. To do my cutting I will be using a dermal I will make stencils of the lights. Then make several small cuts in a circle then use a grinding wheel to smooth it out. I have used this technique putting round tail lights in the back of a jeep
Also a dermal is somthing that most people have access too, so for anyone that wants to try this. They can see how I did it.

I am still unsure if I will be using the glass. I would like to if the glass won't affect the kessils

 

[Kershaw]

Had my wife use her die cuter to cut me a stencil for making the circles. I would have just used a compass but I couldn't find one.

 

[Foxy-88]

Looking good. I recently just finished a t5 hybrid myself using gen4 radion xr15s in a 8 bulb sunblaze. All the power is internal and I have one cord showing. I hanged because legs would have been to difficult to make! Good luck with your build. It'll turn out great. Love the t5 led look on my tank

 

[Kershaw]

Looking good. I recently just finished a t5 hybrid myself using gen4 radion xr15s in a 8 bulb sunblaze. All the power is internal and I have one cord showing. I hanged because legs would have been to difficult to make! Good luck with your build. It'll turn out great. Love the t5 led look on my tank

Post some pictures. I was looking for a broken ati or a tek light for cheap. I originally wanted a 8 bulb so I could remove just the center two but that didn't happen. Then I came across this light and for the price I couldn't pass on it.

 

[Foxy-88]

Post some pictures. I was looking for a broken ati or a tek light for cheap. I originally wanted a 8 bulb so I could remove just the center two but that didn't happen. Then I came across this light and for the price I couldn't pass on it.

Here's the link. I just updated it like 5 minutes ago

 

[Foxy-88]

Here's the link. I just updated it like 5 minutes ago

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/297181/
Helps if I put the link in the post [emoji28]

 

[Kershaw]

Got the holes cut today. Having trouble finding a bit that the aluminum won't load up fast. The holes need to be cleaned up. will post pictures tomorrow.

 

[Kershaw]

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/297181/
Helps if I put the link in the post [emoji28]

I really like your fixture. I kept looking at the sun blaze fixtures but felt they looked like the belong in a comarical building. Yours looks super nice though. If two t5 are not enough I might copy your build.

 

[Foxy-88]

I really like your fixture. I kept looking at the sun blaze fixtures but felt they looked like the belong in a comarical building. Yours looks super nice though. If two t5 are not enough I might copy your build.

Thanks. I kind of like that look above my tank mainly because it's a rimmed 75 and matches it a little better then it would above a rimless

 

[Kershaw]

Sorry for the delay I got sick this week and with work just have not had time. I just came across a maristar t5 mh combo hood for 40$ so I am going to change my plan slightly as this maristar hood will save me allot of time. And I think look much better in the long run. I pick up the new fixture Monday.

 

[Kershaw]

Also I may still continue the other hood just to see if I can make it look the way I want. Maybe I'll give it away when I am done with it.

 

[Kershaw]

Ok just wanted give it an up date. I am a little further along then the pictures show. As of right now I just need to do my wiring. Once wiring is done, I can mount my moon lights and put it all to gether.

 

[Kershaw]

Few more

 

[Kershaw]

I also cut down the reflectors so they can still be used but now allow the kessils to breath.

 

[Kershaw]

Just got these in the mail. Currently my kessils are hooked together then to a apex vdm, for ramping. Going forward I will run the kessils independently so to get a better sunrise sunset going. These 3.5mm head phone connectors allow me to use a thicker wire, once I wire them up I will post a wire diagram of how I wire them to the vdm.

 

[Kershaw]

Got some wiring done today. Need to get some double sided tape to keep things down and in place. Got my dimmable RGB led moon lights working. Forgive the mess of wires. They will be cleaned up before closing it up. Just want to make sure everything works