Modify Geisemann Infiniti: LED's for Halides

[kinetic]

I have a 48" Geisemann Infiniti. It's a beautiful and incredible light, I got it with a custom polar white from Germany way back when halides were still cool.

It's sad that I can't even sell the light for 1/4th of the price. I eventually will put together a 4' or even 5' tank, so I was thinking maybe to just keep it, use the T5s, but swap the halides out for LEDs.

Has anyone done this before?

I was thinking I could just stick a few Radion G4's in there, but the width where the halides sit in the Geiseman is only 4.25" wide, whereas the radions are 7" (2.75" too much).

Another idea is to get three kessil A360W-E Tuna Blue, and mount them where the two halides would go, with a third right in the middle. Those are probably the smallest and best fitting. I just have no experience with Kessils to know how they do in a tank, but I think they should be good.

Are there any other DIY LED pucks of sorts I can mount instead?

 

[GoVols]

FWIW:
I'd like the Kessil's for the MH shimmer.

JMO...

 

[OMGitsManBearPig]

can you wait just a bit for the new x series from kessil? Its more squatty and might lend itself better to retrofitting? And it has more features!

 

[kinetic]

can you wait just a bit for the new x series from kessil? Its more squatty and might lend itself better to retrofitting? And it has more features!

Oh I didn't know something new was happening. But yeah, I don't anticipate putting this tank together for at least another year.

Anyone else retrofit something like this together before? I just wonder if there's other good sources of LED's or something I'm missing that would fit well.

Also for a 4' or 5' tank, would 3 kessils suffice?

 

[OMGitsManBearPig]

Oh I didn't know something new was happening. But yeah, I don't anticipate putting this tank together for at least another year.

Anyone else retrofit something like this together before? I just wonder if there's other good sources of LED's or something I'm missing that would fit well.

Also for a 4' or 5' tank, would 3 kessils suffice?

https://www.kessil.com/products/saltwater_A360X.php

Probably. If mounted high enough. But the serious dudes use a ton of them like spotlights. But I'm talking out of turn. I just ordered my first Kessil myself (AP700) so I wont have any practical experience for another few weeks.

 

[kinetic]

https://www.kessil.com/products/saltwater_A360X.php

Probably. If mounted high enough. But the serious dudes use a ton of them like spotlights. But I'm talking out of turn. I just ordered my first Kessil myself (AP700) so I wont have any practical experience for another few weeks.

Oh that is super cool. So low profile. This will easily sit inside the Infiniti.

Right now there's a plastic sheath over the halides (UV protection I'm guessing), but I could probably just remove that completely. I'll remove the halide reflectors and internals, and then mount the kessils where the halides were. I might just throw a third one in the middle, since there's never enough light right?

 

[kinetic]

The underside does have that middle "vent" section. I'll look at what's under there, but I'm thinking I'll just cut a hole into the vent to mount the third kessil.

Should be plenty of space inside to wire up the USB-C links, and/or just get those dongles.

 

[OMGitsManBearPig]

Sounds like you have a working theory. I think the specs are available on the lights. Time to mock it up with some cardboard cutouts to test fit!

 

[madweazl]

Is there a reason you don't want to run the halides? I'm a Kessil fan but if I already have a MH/T5 fixture, I'd certainly use it unless there was a good reason not.

 

[OMGitsManBearPig]

Is there a reason you don't want to run the halides? I'm a Kessil fan but if I already have a MH/T5 fixture, I'd certainly use it unless there was a good reason not.

A really good question. Heat?

 

[laverda]

I have a similar Geisman fixture that I have been hanging on to with the intent of converting it to LEDs as well. I was thinking about using some of the 50watt chips that are available these days. Perhaps setting 2 in each reflector.
I have no intent to do a 4’ tank at any time in the near future if anyone wants to do so I will make you a killer deal on the fixture $50.

 

[GoVols]

Is there a reason you don't want to run the halides? I'm a Kessil fan but if I already have a MH/T5 fixture, I'd certainly use it unless there was a good reason not.

+1 to that...

Just can't beat mh/t5...

 

[GoVols]

I just ordered my first Kessil myself (AP700) so I wont have any practical experience for another few weeks.

Congrats on your AP700

Sure love mine

 

[kinetic]

Only reason why I'd go away from the DE MH is heat. I don't really live in a crazy hot area (SF Bay area is never that warm), but efficiency always sounds nice. I like the ability to dim and control LED's as well.

I'm also wondering to myself if I would even need T5's with the kessils. And if that's the case, should I just hang kessils by themselves and sell the fixture?