can I modify my hood to accept T5 lighting

[Bad Inferno]

I have a 1200mm jebo tank with three floro's mounted in the aluminium hood. Very nice setup fully water proof as the balasts are enclosed within screwed covers so no need for cover glass.

Now is it posible to retrofit T5 lighting into a normal installation, I assume with T5 it reduces power what else does it do for me ?

cheers rob

[fw05racer]

Pro:
Higher output as well.
Slightly longer life span on the tubes

Con:
Higher price on all the equipment!!!!

If it is the normal installation it means its more than likely using T8 tubes. So you would need to buy new end caps and if you want to get the best from your T5 new electronic ballast (asuming your current ones are magnetic).

[vishy]

hey,
Not sure about your jebo hood but i did mine and it works a treat. Cost ballasts(2x54w electronic) $40 each, tubes $20 each, reflectors $30 each :evil: encaps and wiring are fairly cheap and easy to wire up. pics can be found here http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6647&start=20
Thanks
Matt

[Bad Inferno]

I wonder if we can get water proof ends.

[Bad Inferno]

Has the T5 got a different end than a normal floro ?

[Bad Inferno]

Had a quick look...and their are kit available OS


http://www.specialty-lights.com/960090.html

[dreamer]

t5 is lot slimmer/thinner compare to t8 and you will need individual reflector to each tube

[vishy]

yes waterproof encaps available and yes you need different encaps compared to t8, tulip leads are available (waterproof encaps with 1/3m leads on them) i prefer doing it myself though,
Thanks
Matt

[Mr_K]

Complete kits and individual components can be found here
http://www.reefculture.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=45&osCsid=dad07e12eb3981e9ee62d083da5373c9
with or without waterproof endcaps for those who are interested.

[Bad Inferno]

thanks for the link Mr K....I need to replace my aging tubes anyway so it is an option. My hood already has everything availale to accept the new end pieces.

Still not convinced though I uderstand all the benifits.

I have 2x30+1x25 watt =85 watts for 180litres.

I assumed I could get the same light output for a significantly less T5 wattage tube and save some power bills as well ? Although everything I see people are saying 36 or 55 watt tubes. I do like the idea of a dimmerable ballast.

rob