Cheap t5 additions

[BARNAKEWLZ]

Looking to add a couple t5 bulbs to my hydra32 and 2 ai primes. Does anyone have any good diy/alternatives? Would rather not break the bank and save that money for coral

 

[PR_nano]

I did research for the past couple of weeks and there are a few options out there. Like you I didn't want to spend to much but wanted to try T5 for coverage additional par while keeping the Kessil shimmer. I looked into the diy LET T5HO Miro retrofit kit, Reef Brite, and Sunblaster. I ended up with a dual Reef Brite T5 retrofit kit. There are more reviews out there for the other two but decided to give this one a try.

 

[tehmadreefer]

TR retro kit

 

[andrewey]

I ended up going with the LET kit. I spent some time looking at cheaper alternatives and the real sticking point is the reflector and if you chose to get the waterproof endcaps. If you can source those somewhere else (shipping is a killer on the reflectors), the wiring, plug, and ballast are rather inexpensive to source and wiring is a piece of cake. If you're looking to add more than 2, look into sourcing the materials yourself or retrofiting a hydroponic t5 fixture off of amazon. If you are only adding one or two, you don't save much unless you can find a local reefer selling the materials.

 

[Fish.Bum00]

DIY T5 LED Hybrid Canopy

I purchased some cheap LED black boxes during my build. I knew I wanted to add some T5 lights to supplement the LEDs, but the price of a hybrid fixture and those T5 retrofit kits seemed ridiculous to me. It's funny how simple and inexpensive this was to do. With some wood, angled aluminum...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Rollman]

Added with my hydra 26hds. Aquatic life fixtures.

 

[Fish.Bum00]

DIY T5 LED Hybrid Canopy

I purchased some cheap LED black boxes during my build. I knew I wanted to add some T5 lights to supplement the LEDs, but the price of a hybrid fixture and those T5 retrofit kits seemed ridiculous to me. It's funny how simple and inexpensive this was to do. With some wood, angled aluminum...

www.reef2reef.com

I think I spent $100 for all equipment, including reflectors and 2 48" ATI bulbs.

If u went with 4 t5s, then add another $70. 4 bulb diy t5 with lamps would cost me $170.

The BRS retrofit is only for 2 bulbs and doesnt include lamps. So for a 4 bulb retrofit plus bulbs, you're talking $320, at least.

$150 could get you a nice piece.

 

[andrewey]

Fish.Bum00, Where did you buy your reflectors?

 

[Fish.Bum00]

Amazon product

 

[Fish.Bum00]

Looked everywhere for cheaper parabolic ones. Saw some used on FB and Clist but figured I would splurge.

 

[andrewey]

@Fish.Bum00 Sorry to make more work for you, but would you be able to type out the name of the ones on amazon you used? Reef2Reef is doing that thing again where amazon links appear as the icon only and the link dissapears (see below):

 

[Fish.Bum00]

Helios 2, 3, 4 feet universal t5.
It's free shipping through Amazon but not two day.

 

[burnetb1]

I made my own, used the fixtures and ballast below for 2x 4ft lights. Didn't have reflectors, just Mylar reflective film in the canopy. Sadly had to take the tank down right after I built it so I don't have any pics.
fixture
ballast

 

[apcoleman]

On a previous build I just added some Sunblaster T5 strips in my canopy. Price was right and you can daisy chain them together. Easy to find them on Amazon in different lengths.