DIY 2ft T5 lights

[Gambit]

hi...

was reading up on how to DIY a set of T5s....

only know the pretty basic stuff.......

so here's what i need to get

1)an e-ballast...preferably osram but it seems elbiru is much cheaper

i wanna run 2xT5s on 1 e-ballast...

2)T5 tubes....think i was looking foward to the 39Ws ones...

just wonder how long they are.......

3)reflector

4)single core wires......

5)switches and plugs

ok.....did i miss out anything??

as for the casing.....i would like to use my old 2ft aluminium FL casing

will the tubes fit?? and what do i have to do to make it fit if it doesnt fit.....

my casing is those for 18" FL lights...

pls advice......

[Cedric]

The 39 watts T5 is slightly less than 3 feet. Hence you will not be able to fit it into a 18 inch casing.

Cheers!

[Gambit]

thanks cedric......wow...u really super fast......

then for my FL casing...what length of T5 can i get??

what wattage?? any brand to recommand??

[Terryz_]

2ft tubes would be enough... Btw if you using timer... You wun need a switch...

[Cedric]

Actually I don't think you can fit a 2 feet T5 into a 1.5 feet/18 inch casing. You may have to get another casing!

[Terryz_]

Bro... You wun neccesary need a casing... Having a reflector would be enough...

[Gambit]

its not a 1.5ft casing leh......

its for 2ft FL lights..but the bulbs that are installed in it are 18"

as for just using a reflector.......ugly leh.... that is why wanted to use a casing.....

so i gotta get the 2ft T5s then.....

how many watts is that??

dunno if enough for my tank.......

[Terryz_]

One bulb is 24w... What will be keeping in your tank... Whats the depth of your water...

[neo]

You might need to check if your e-ballast can fit into your casing or not. E-ballast is longer than those normal ballast.

[Gambit]

hihi..... thanks for all your advice...

i try to answer some of your questions so u guys can give me better advice!!

how deep is my tank?

its 18" deep...those normal 2ft tanks...i have a dsb about 3-4" deep...the fishes keep disturbing the sand so now all uneven...

what i intend to keep?

the best if can keep clams!! haha but think i still way off...

for now i just want my anemones to be nice and bubbly!! if u know what i mean.......

was thinking of using 1 2ft casing to house 2 x T5 lights... so that would be 24wx2=48w...

then if successful i try to make another one....so got 4 T5s so total of 96Ws... somemore not hot....!!!

the eballast for T5s are pretty big...so i was thinking of putting it outside the casing...stick onto the top or something like that...

so.....what u guys think?

[Terryz_]

hihi..... thanks for all your advice...

i try to answer some of your questions so u guys can give me better advice!!

how deep is my tank?

its 18" deep...those normal 2ft tanks...i have a dsb about 3-4" deep...the fishes keep disturbing the sand so now all uneven...

what i intend to keep?

the best if can keep clams!! haha but think i still way off...

for now i just want my anemones to be nice and bubbly!! if u know what i mean.......

was thinking of using 1 2ft casing to house 2 x T5 lights... so that would be 24wx2=48w...

then if successful i try to make another one....so got 4 T5s so total of 96Ws... somemore not hot....!!!

the eballast for T5s are pretty big...so i was thinking of putting it outside the casing...stick onto the top or something like that...

so.....what u guys think?

OKaie... Should be okaie to use 2xT5 for clams... But place them near to the light... Not on the sand bed..

The E-ballast you can put outside the casing...

[Gambit]

thanks terryz

hey.....so confirm if i buy the 2ft T5 bulb, it can fit into my 2ft aluminium FL casing........

how long is the 2ft T5 bulb anyway??

is it really just 2ft??

cause FL for 2ft is actually 18" only...just wanna confirm...

[Octopus Bay]

Gambit,

Did you miss out the Waterproof T5 end-caps? We have a few more in stock...

Octopus BAY

[Terryz_]

thanks terryz

hey.....so confirm if i buy the 2ft T5 bulb, it can fit into my 2ft aluminium FL casing........

how long is the 2ft T5 bulb anyway??

is it really just 2ft??

cause FL for 2ft is actually 18" only...just wanna confirm...

Should be able to fit... But not sure whether the length of different brand of T5 is the same anot..

[Marinedisc]

hi...

was reading up on how to DIY a set of T5s....

only know the pretty basic stuff.......

so here's what i need to get

1)an e-ballast...preferably osram but it seems elbiru is much cheaper

i wanna run 2xT5s on 1 e-ballast...

2)T5 tubes....think i was looking foward to the 39Ws ones...

just wonder how long they are.......

3)reflector

4)single core wires......

5)switches and plugs

ok.....did i miss out anything??

as for the casing.....i would like to use my old 2ft aluminium FL casing

will the tubes fit?? and what do i have to do to make it fit if it doesnt fit.....

my casing is those for 18" FL lights...

pls advice......

For a 2ft casing, using 2 24W tubes would not be a problem and if it is wide enough, it can even house the eballast internally too.. You also need 4 T5 clips for the tubes. Waterproof T5 endcaps are good but since you are using a casing, it may not be necessary. The choice is yours.