Leds and T5 setup...

[Fishnbirds]

For those that have more than 1 type of lighting, for example T5's and led fixtures...how do you hang it or set it up so one set of lights doesnt block another? I have a t5 setup that can be mounted on the tank and 2 AI hydras that will be hung. How would inset that up to get the benefit of all the lights? Tank is 48x24x24.

 

[Anirban]

This is how mine looks like but my T5s are retrofit...

 

[FarmerTy]

T5 retrofit as well.

 

[Fin]

This is how I have mine set up on my 140 (48" x 24" footprint). Two retrofit T5s in front and back and 4 Hydra 52s in the center (picture is old, before I upgraded to the Hydra 52s).

 

[Fishnbirds]

Ok so the t5 i have is a 6 bulb...could remove the center bulbs and put the leds in there then really have 1 fixture? Not to sound stupid but what does retro fit mean exactly? To take it apart and put it together a differnt way or with new stuff?

 

[FarmerTy]

Ok so the t5 i have is a 6 bulb...could remove the center bulbs and put the leds in there then really have 1 fixture? Not to sound stupid but what does retro fit mean exactly? To take it apart and put it together a differnt way or with new stuff?

Retro kit just means add on with separate parts instead of a fixture... think "a la carte". You could try to do that with your current fixture but most I've seen wire their bulbs in a certain series for distribution so removing the middle would cause you to have to rewire the whole set versus just remove the two middle bulbs as each of the middle bulbs may be linked to another bulb that's not directly beside it.

 

[Fishnbirds]

Ok...thats easy enough. For some reason i had it in my head that all the bulbs had to be in place for the others to work. Actually looking at it though, i dont think i will get full coverage because the t5 light itself isnt that wide. However that would mean completely taking apart the t5 and rewirimg everything into a new custom hood which i would have to get some help with because that is out of my expertise, id probably end up starting a fire :(

 

[Fishnbirds]

And thank you for clearimg up what exactly retro means...the " a la carte" was the perfect visual!

 

[FarmerTy]

Ok...thats easy enough. For some reason i had it in my head that all the bulbs had to be in place for the others to work. Actually looking at it though, i dont think i will get full coverage because the t5 light itself isnt that wide. However that would mean completely taking apart the t5 and rewirimg everything into a new custom hood which i would have to get some help with because that is out of my expertise, id probably end up starting a fire :(

Maybe post a picture of your fixture and what type/brand/model it is? There are some really smart and handy people on this forum that might be able to help you figure something out.

 

[Terry4505]

Kessil-T5 combo

 

[ryecoon]

Kessil-T5 combo

Does the T5 take away from your kessil shimmer? I sold my ATI T5s because of that reason. I just bought more kessils instead.

 

[Terry4505]

I think the Kessil shimmer can be a bit overwhelming when they are on full-blast, so the T5s do a nice job of diffusing that a bit.

 

[jackson6745]

Mostly T5 but I do have blue reefbrites for aesthetic purpose.
IMG_7001 by rich colombo, on Flickr

IMG_7136 by rich colombo, on Flickr