Dimmable 2ft T5 sets

[AlfaRomeo]

Hi Guys, Im thinking of adding 2 sets of Dimmable T5s to my tank. This will span across my 2.5Ft width in between the MHs.. like this

MH T5 MH T5 MH

looking at 3 x T5 each... so in total will be 6 tubes..

Tank width is a total of 2.5ft with eurobracing which the T5 holders will rest on ideally.

Need to be dimmable so that I can control the lighting sequence with the IKS SIMMOD.

Any recommendations pls and approximate cost?

Thanks in advance.

[weisoon]

Alfa

Your MH is arcadia? If you rest the T5 on the brace, will it block part of the MH. This is assuming that the arcadia is located higher than the T5s.

Dimmable ballast can get the Vossloh or Osram for 2 feet. Not sure if they come in 3x configuration. I know most comes in 2x config. So you have to get 3 ballast.

[AlfaRomeo]

Weisoon, yup.. Arcadia for my MHs...

I was thinking of getting really slim units for the T5s so that they can fit in the gaps between the MHs. Will drop the MHs to a level just above the T5s so the MHs do not get blocked (if possible)

3 ballasts sounds ok I think.. added advantage of being able to fine tune the lighting cycle to fade in and out from left side of the tank to the right side..

My plan for lighting cycle:

1230 : T5-1 (Dim up from 0% to 100% by 1330)

1240 : T5-2 (Dim up from 0% to 100% by 1330)

1250 : T5-3 (Dim up from 0% to 100% by 1330)

1300 : Actinics from Arcadia (On)

1330 : 3 x 250w MHs (On)

2130 : 3 x 250w MHs (Off)

2200 : Actinics from Arcadia (Off)

2210 : T5-1 (Dim down from 100% to 0% by 2300)

2220 : T5-2 (Dim down from 100% to 0% by 2300)

2230 : T5-3 (Dim down from 100% to 0% by 2300)

2300 : Moonlights switch on

Weisoon, just to confirm... the Simmod has 4 channels which are individually controlled for dimming timings etc etc rite? thanks

Comment/Opinions/Suggestions anyone?

[Hon]

AlfaRomeo,

S.me info for you

IKS dimming feature is fix at 30mins. From 0% to 100& or from 100% to 0% takes 30mins fix.

Beside using the SIMMOD, you also need to connect the T5 main power supply to a IKS socket. That's becoz after SIMMOD dim it down to 0%, the T5 is still have 10% output, in order to cut the power totally, an IKS socket need to be deploy. You can actually treat that 10% output of thr blue T5 to bee moonlight, but a little too bright thou. So same thing before the SIMMOD start brightening the T5, activate the IKS socket to supply main power to the fixture, and SIMMOD will do its 30mins brightening effect.

[Hon]

SIMMOD have 4 channels, so can work up to 4 dimming devices.

[AlfaRomeo]

Modified Lighting Cycle after enlightenment by Hon. Thanks Bro!

1230 : T5-1 (Dim up from 0% to 100% by 1300)

1240 : T5-2 (Dim up from 0% to 100% by 1310)

1250 : T5-3 (Dim up from 0% to 100% by 1320)

1300 : Actinics from Arcadia (On)

1330 : 3 x 250w MHs (On)

2130 : 3 x 250w MHs (Off)

2200 : Actinics from Arcadia (Off)

2210 : T5-1 (Dim down from 100% to 0% by 2240)

2220 : T5-2 (Dim down from 100% to 0% by 2250)

2230 : T5-3 (Dim down from 100% to 0% by 2300)

2300 : Moonlights switch on

Since the power of the SIMMOD if from 1-10V, can I drive the Moonlights by coralife with this? The intensity will be controlled by IKS according to the lunar cycle?

[Hon]

I am trying to find out too. The voltage is there, but afraid the ampere not enough to drive it. SIMMOD got to indication of its output ampere.

[AlfaRomeo]

It would be great if the Coralife moonlight can be used that way.

I think I will also need 3 IKS power outlets on 1 of the power bars for each of the ballast rite... hmmmmm

[weisoon]

AlfaRomeo,

S.me info for you

IKS dimming feature is fix at 30mins. From 0% to 100& or from 100% to 0% takes 30mins fix.

Beside using the SIMMOD, you also need to connect the T5 main power supply to a IKS socket. That's becoz after SIMMOD dim it down to 0%, the T5 is still have 10% output, in order to cut the power totally, an IKS socket need to be deploy. You can actually treat that 10% output of thr blue T5 to bee moonlight, but a little too bright thou. So same thing before the SIMMOD start brightening the T5, activate the IKS socket to supply main power to the fixture, and SIMMOD will do its 30mins brightening effect.

Hon

I guess the last 10% should be dimmed by the variable socket? or the fixed socket? Thanks. Still in process of setting up tank, ok to wait to test out the PH socket?