T5 Supplement for Kessil A360W

[BigHildy53]

I am contemplating add two ATI 5ft T5 bulbs to my 6ft 180g DT; using a LET Lighting retrofit kit. What is the best way to security hang the T5s from the ceiling? I am looking for some examples.

 

[clsanchez77]

You can make a fairly attractive light rack using 80/20 aluminum. I made one to support T-5's and Hydra 26 fixtures. Mine is in a cabinet so I did not skin it, but that could be done fairly easily. It would have a very industrial look.

Light Frame by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

Finishing the Canopy by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

 

[clsanchez77]

Note that between the first and second photo, I flipped the HO's so they are on the underside of the rack, not the top side.

 

[BigHildy53]

That's a great setup. Thanks for the idea.

 

[madweazl]

I recently went SPS dominant and was looking to add a pair of T5s; is something like the ATI Blue+ the way to go in regard to bulbs??

 

[GoVols]

I recently went SPS dominant and was looking to add a pair of T5s; is something like the ATI Blue+ the way to go in regard to bulbs??

Hard to beat the Blue +

 

[clsanchez77]

I recently went SPS dominant and was looking to add a pair of T5s; is something like the ATI Blue+ the way to go in regard to bulbs??

User preference IMO, but Blue+ is certainly a good start. I started with the Aquaspecials and did not like them. I currently have one actinic and one Coral Azure and am pretty happy with it. Slightly more cyan than the blue plus and I went that way because my LEDs are very strong in the blue.

 

[GoVols]

If one want's a full daylight bulb in the mix.

Try the KZ Gen ii (Worth every penny)

Has the sweetest full daylight spectrum that I've ever seen and... (lol) it's a par monster.

 

[drtrash]

Tried a few colors but think i will settle with coral+ pair and blue will come from led. Blue + with coral + awesome id led is lacking

 

[BigHildy53]

You can make a fairly attractive light rack using 80/20 aluminum. I made one to support T-5's and Hydra 26 fixtures. Mine is in a cabinet so I did not skin it, but that could be done fairly easily. It would have a very industrial look.

Light Frame by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

Finishing the Canopy by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

I need wood, or something else such as 80/20 aluminum, or attach the T5HO retro kit to. Then I can hang that piece from the ceiling. Is this correct?

 

[clsanchez77]

Yes. You can go with all wood, the 8020 will be more durable and is easier to attached the LED units to. Then either you skin the 8020 with 1/4" hobby wood and finish to your liking, or skin it with something fabricated out of acrylic, sheet aluminum, etc. Your choice really. They make various fasteners that attach to the 8020 that you then attach to your skin.

 

[BigHildy53]

Thank you. For now I'll go simple to save cost. Then design a better frame and skin.

 

[clsanchez77]

Thank you. For now I'll go simple to save cost. Then design a better frame and skin.

You can do it with all 1"x3" pretty cheap. The hardest part will be getting the mounting holes for the Hydra head units. Its just 1/4" machine threaded bolts. In the wood, mark the spacing and oversize the holes slightly. Then use a fender washer on the top wood size. Try to get everything as stainless steel, which is usually in the special rack at the hardware store.

 

[BigHildy53]

You can make a fairly attractive light rack using 80/20 aluminum. I made one to support T-5's and Hydra 26 fixtures. Mine is in a cabinet so I did not skin it, but that could be done fairly easily. It would have a very industrial look.

Light Frame by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

Finishing the Canopy by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

Another question. Where did you put the balast? I don't have a canopy. Just attach it to one of the 80/20 frame pieces?

 

[madweazl]

The LET fixtures have long leads so you should have quite a bit of freedom when it comes to mounting. I sleeved the wires with some PETG to help tidy them up a bit but none of it is visible anyways.

 

[jumplittlechloe]

Tried a few colors but think i will settle with coral+ pair and blue will come from led. Blue + with coral + awesome id led is lacking

I have 3 kessils with two t5's on my tank. I also went with 2 coral + bulbs. Makes for a great color combo with the leds and brings that pop of red you miss in the kessils. It also fills in the shadows.

 

[madweazl]

Got mine up and running yesterday with a Coral+ and Blue+. I'm happy with the overall look; the Kessil shimmer has been muted but is still present. Some of the corals do pop a bit more and it certainly brightened up some dark areas that should provide a few more spots for some corals.

 

[clsanchez77]

Another question. Where did you put the balast? I don't have a canopy. Just attach it to one of the 80/20 frame pieces?

On the left side of my setup I have a 9" wide chase for all my electrical, including lighting ballasts, transformers, Apex, Energy Bars, Dosing Pumps, etc. The large metal box in the 2nd photo with the fan in it is a 400 Watt Meanwell AC-DC converter - I forget the voltage but it matches and was sized for 4 Hydra26's. This eliminated having 4 separate driver boxes. The tall thin metal box in the first photo (appears white in the camera flash) is my dimmable HO ballast.

Starting Electrical Build by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

Starting Electrical Build by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

A better photo of the full assembly
Finishing the Canopy by Christopher Sanchez, on Flickr

 

[BigHildy53]

That is a nice setup.

 

[BigHildy53]

The LET fixtures have long leads so you should have quite a bit of freedom when it comes to mounting. I sleeved the wires with some PETG to help tidy them up a bit but none of it is visible anyways.

What is the PETG wrapping you used? Where did you get it? It looks very organized.