Florecent coversion to led

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Hey I was at a store close to my house and I noticed that they had led bulbs that fit into a florescent light fixture. They weren't for coral, just for general lighting. Was curious if you can get led bulbs that are good for growing coral???

 

[Saltyreef]

I dont believe theyve marketed anything yet. Especially for t5vho fixtures.

I think they just recently ( in the last couple years) were able to manufactuer a bulb that was a direct swap for regular home/office 4ft t8s instead of having to do a ballast swap.

On the otherhand, they do have full spectrum, coral specific, standard a20 screw base bulbs available :)

 

[oreo54]

There are plenty of t5/t8 led retrofits.
Some are bypass where you remove the ballast. Others use the ballast as power supplies.
Output has been limited.

That said, as to blue or reef centric a few attempts have been made with apparent limited success.

 

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I was looking for retrofit kits. Do you have any suggestions??

 

[oreo54]

I was looking for retrofit kits. Do you have any suggestions??

Not really..
ATM only one company offers anything at least to my knowledge.
I know there are some freshwater types that have sig. boosted their output but as to reef ones these 18W (for 48")
are the only ones I know of, There may be others:
https://www.marineandreef.com/Arcadia_T5_HO_LED_Lamp_18W_Marine_White_18000K_p/rko01241.htm

The "hope was in the past.. ;)
https://reefbuilders.com/2016/12/19/b5ho-new-led-replacement-for-t5-tubes-from-biotek-marine/

 

[blasterman]

Why would you want to ? Using the original ballast costs you an efficiency hit, and the fixture is the lowest price component.

The real issue is the absurd cost of reef LEDs in a T5 form factor. Way too expensive for just a row of SMD blue LEDs on a thin heat sink.

 

[Auto-pilot]

Why would you want to ? Using the original ballast costs you an efficiency hit, and the fixture is the lowest price component.

The real issue is the absurd cost of reef LEDs in a T5 form factor. Way too expensive for just a row of SMD blue LEDs on a thin heat sink.

The idea would be a led florescent hybrid which in my experience has been good at growing coral. Kinda best of both worlds.

http://www.kordon.com/kordon/products/aquarium-pond-accessories-2/t5-led-aquarium-light-marine-blue

https://www.marineandreef.com/Arcadia_T5_HO_LED_Lamps_s/1156.htm
I did find these. Not horribly priced and while not as efficient as a normal led light they claim these are bright and efficient. Would it be a bad idea to try these out???

 

[dubmaneh]

Looking to add some shimmer to my ATI 8 bulb lighting and found the Kordon and Arcadia bulbs as well. Did you ever try them out?