newbie nids help!! wads t5 & t6?

[jonathan543]

hi ppl... would like to noe wads the meaning of t5 & t6 used in defination for flourescent tubes... and is it possible to diy & add on another tube onto my existing lighthood which already housed 2tubes?

thinking of using cableties to fasten the 3rd tube to the other 2... is it a gd idea? wad stuff i nid? a ballast, end caps & wiring? where can i fing the end caps? i'm using those 15w 450mm wit diameter of 26mm tubes dat can be found commonly in lfs. thought of upgrading as there's simply no more space on my 2ft tank to mount another lighthood & ever since i tried to mount a 1ft flourescent light onto the tiny gap on my tank, my jewels & yellow polyps extended & opened their polyps a great deal better.

i'm using 1white+1blue tubes, would like to use 2whites+1blue instead... pls advice!

thanks!

[amteo]

hi ppl... would like to noe wads the meaning of t5 & t6 used in defination for flourescent tubes

T5, T8, etc refers to the diameter of the tubes. T5 equals 5/8 inch, T8 equals 8/8 inch, etc.

Also, don't forget for T5 there are Normal Output (NO) and High Output (HO). For 2ft T5, NO = 20watt and HO=24watt.

and is it possible to diy & add on another tube onto my existing lighthood which already housed 2tubes?

I guess that it depends on how much space you have in your existing casing.

thinking of using cableties to fasten the 3rd tube to the other 2... is it a gd idea? wad stuff i nid? a ballast, end caps & wiring? where can i fing the end caps?

For long term reliability, I would not recommend cable ties. I think the heat from the lamps will make the cable ties brittle. You will need all the stuff you mentioned plus (1) reflector and (2) tube clips. You can get them from our sponsors (1) DE, (2) Aquaz and (2) Horizon Ventures

i'm using those 15w 450mm wit diameter of 26mm tubes dat can be found commonly in lfs. thought of upgrading as there's simply no more space on my 2ft tank to mount another lighthood & ever since i tried to mount a 1ft flourescent light onto the tiny gap on my tank, my jewels & yellow polyps extended & opened their polyps a great deal better.

So you are using 1.5 ft T8. If your existing casing is holding 2 T8, you might be able to modify it to hold 3 T5. I think someone has already done this. Try searching for it.

Alternatively, you might just want to buy the complete light set. Aquamarine Aquatic Pets has a very nice set that has 3 tubes. Search the Products Review section for it.

[jonathan543]

thanks for your reply... i think there might be space for 3 t5... but oni have 2 ballast rated for 15w nia... so this means have to change the 2 stock 15w ballast too should i wan to swop all the tubes for either 20w or 24w ballasts? wow... lolx

[scstormwolf]

Can PL Ballast be used for T5?

[Clownfish]

thanks for your reply... i think there might be space for 3 t5... but oni have 2 ballast rated for 15w nia... so this means have to change the 2 stock 15w ballast too should i wan to swop all the tubes for either 20w or 24w ballasts? wow... lolx 

if u r going to mod ur lights to T5 instead, u need to replace the ballast too... u need to get 2X24W T5s.... for simplicity, u might wanna consider changing ur 2XT8 to 2XT5... eaiser to mod this way, just replace the end-caps, get a true T5 eballast (Osram quicktronic QT-FQ 2X24W or vossloh), and tube holders, wire up (with single core wire) n u r on ur way

u may consider getting the full package from our sponsor, HV... take option 1, change the ballast to vossloh n change the waterproof endcaps to non waterproof ones (to lower ur cost n since u r using an existing hood), thus shld cost u less than $70.... wiring schematics shld be drawn on top of the ballast, but i tink the HV guys shld be most glad to advise u if u hav any doubts

[Lester]

if u r going to mod ur lights to T5 instead, u need to replace the ballast too... u need to get 2X24W T5s.... for simplicity, u might wanna consider changing ur 2XT8 to 2XT5... eaiser to mod this way, just replace the end-caps, get a true T5 eballast (Osram quicktronic QT-FQ 2X24W or vossloh), and tube holders, wire up (with single core wire) n u r on ur way

u may consider getting the full package from our sponsor, HV... take option 1, change the ballast to vossloh n change the waterproof endcaps to non waterproof ones (to lower ur cost n since u r using an existing hood), thus shld cost u less than $70.... wiring schematics shld be drawn on top of the ballast, but i tink the HV guys shld be most glad to advise u if u hav any doubts

Hi ..bro...

can help me to list down all the compoments need to DIY the T5 lights ??

Like need : eballast (type ) etc etc ..

will reali app if u help me

in advance

[dr evil]

Hi ..bro...

can help me to list down all the compoments need to DIY the T5 lights ??

Like need : eballast (type ) etc etc ..

will reali app if u help me

in advance

what u need is

1) eballast

2) t5 tubes

3) t5 reflectors

4) endcaps

5) wires

6) 3 pin plug

that all u be needing.....to diy.

[Clownfish]

Hi ..bro...

can help me to list down all the compoments need to DIY the T5 lights ??

Like need : eballast (type ) etc etc ..

will reali app if u help me

in advance

1. T5 eballast

2. end-caps

3. single core wire

4. 3-pin plug

5. tube holders

if not using old FL casing,

6. reflectors

if u seriously wanna try DIYing and need to see an example, i dun mind u comin over my place to take a look at my untidy work i live in Taman Jurong, shld be quite near ur place

contact me via PM if still unsure lah... dun wan hijack jonathan's thread

[Lester]

thanks alot..

Bro Dr evil and bro Clownfish..

ok..... i will contact u if i encounter any problems while DIY ...

thanks again bros..

cheers and CNY ...