T5 for IM fusion 20

[Mycota]

I currently have just 1 kessil a160we on my IM fusion 20. I'm just not getting the spread and growth that I want. I miss having t5ho and was wondering if anyone knew a fixture I could use in addition to my kessil a160we. Or would i have to build a canopy with some retrofits? Probably would want 2-4 bulbs (although, i doubt 4 would fit with the kessil)

Or would i just be better off buying another kessil a160we and daisy chaining them together? I like the look of the kessil and maybe 2 would increase growth to where i want it but I just dont see the growth i had on my 90g with a 8 bulb t5ho fixture even directly under the fixture.

Thanks for any input!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

https://www.fishtanksdirect.com/ati...MI4oqdi5Gc4AIV4iCtBh1jXAozEAQYASABEgLVG_D_BwE

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/2...ystem-fixture-kessil-ecotech-ai-aquatic-life/

 

[Mycota]

https://www.fishtanksdirect.com/ati...MI4oqdi5Gc4AIV4iCtBh1jXAozEAQYASABEgLVG_D_BwE

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/2...ystem-fixture-kessil-ecotech-ai-aquatic-life/

Thanks for your response. I have seen both of these fixtures and they both look awesome. However i want to continue use of my Kessil and have t5s. So the 2 bulb may work but placement of both lights would be weird. I absolutely love the hybrid fixture but with only about 12in of display depth due to it being all in one the width on the hybrid is far too much.

Im thinking im just going to have to build a floating canopy to achieve what I want.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

I built this for my nuvo 20. Hole in the middle is for a fan. It's been running for 7 or so months and I like it.

 

[Mycota]

I built this for my nuvo 20. Hole in the middle is for a fan. It's been running for 7 or so months and I like it.

Awesome! That is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. I figured building something would be best but I gotta find time for that. At least it wouldn't be a huge project. What bulbs do you use in the t5 fixture?

 

[Mycota]

I built this for my nuvo 20. Hole in the middle is for a fan. It's been running for 7 or so months and I like it.

Also, would you mind sharing a pic of the top of the canopy and possibly a pic of it hanging over the tank? Just trying to get a better idea of what i need to do. Mainly how to mount the kessils to it.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Also, would you mind sharing a pic of the top of the canopy and possibly a pic of it hanging over the tank? Just trying to get a better idea of what i need to do. Mainly how to mount the kessils to it.

Coral+ right now. I'll probably switch to blue + when they are ready to change.

Ill get you a picture on monday, im out of town till then. I'll also give you some things I might have done differently now that its done.

 

[Mycota]

Coral+ right now. I'll probably switch to blue + when they are ready to change.

Ill get you a picture on monday, im out of town till then. I'll also give you some things I might have done differently now that its done.

Awesome! Thanks so much!

I was leaning towards blue+ as well if i add t5. I wish i could fit 3 or 4 bulbs in a custom canopy for bulb diversity but i feel that would be really tight and likely overkill in a fusion 20g.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Ok here is the setup.

1. To mount the 160's I just drilled 2.5" holes (holesaw) and put a panduit (Big Ziptie) around it to keep it from falling through.
I would use the new aquatic life 2.5" adapter for their hybrid light now that its out. (Wasn't when I made this) You can buy it seperate and it looks to be perfect for this application as well

2. I used a Heavy Duty Tv Mount to float the whole canopy. Not bad but also not the prettiest.

3. Speaking of pretty. I would have spent a little more time making the canopy (Did it in an hour or so with no forethought). I didnt want to leave my tank without a light for a day so I went quick.

The foundation of the design is a good Idea and it works great. If you spend a little more time than I did you can create something a little nicer looking for sure.

 

[Mycota]

Ok here is the setup.

1. To mount the 160's I just drilled 2.5" holes (holesaw) and put a panduit (Big Ziptie) around it to keep it from falling through.
I would use the new aquatic life 2.5" adapter for their hybrid light now that its out. (Wasn't when I made this) You can buy it seperate and it looks to be perfect for this application as well

2. I used a Heavy Duty Tv Mount to float the whole canopy. Not bad but also not the prettiest.

3. Speaking of pretty. I would have spent a little more time making the canopy (Did it in an hour or so with no forethought). I didnt want to leave my tank without a light for a day so I went quick.

The foundation of the design is a good Idea and it works great. If you spend a little more time than I did you can create something a little nicer looking for sure.

Thanks so much for all the additional info. I will probably be stealing your design :)

My stand is black so i will probably waterproof my canopy in black. I may use the ziptie holder idea if the hybrid mounts are too much. Been on a bit of a budget lately.

 

[Mycota]

Ok here is the setup.

1. To mount the 160's I just drilled 2.5" holes (holesaw) and put a panduit (Big Ziptie) around it to keep it from falling through.
I would use the new aquatic life 2.5" adapter for their hybrid light now that its out. (Wasn't when I made this) You can buy it seperate and it looks to be perfect for this application as well

2. I used a Heavy Duty Tv Mount to float the whole canopy. Not bad but also not the prettiest.

3. Speaking of pretty. I would have spent a little more time making the canopy (Did it in an hour or so with no forethought). I didnt want to leave my tank without a light for a day so I went quick.

The foundation of the design is a good Idea and it works great. If you spend a little more time than I did you can create something a little nicer looking for sure.

So i just ordered my light kit and bulbs. Probably going to build the hood this weekend. Do you know what size wood you used for the canopy? I'm thinking 1x16 but wanted to see what you used. I'm probably going to suspend mine from wire as i cant use a tv mount because my tank is in front of a blacked out basement window.

Thanks!

 

[Justfebreezeit]

So i just ordered my light kit and bulbs. Probably going to build the hood this weekend. Do you know what size wood you used for the canopy? I'm thinking 1x16 but wanted to see what you used. I'm probably going to suspend mine from wire as i cant use a tv mount because my tank is in front of a blacked out basement window.

Thanks!

Mine is actual dimensions 3/4" x 9". I had it left over from making shelves in a closet. It seems over built at those dimensions but thicker and wider could look better for sure.

 

[Mycota]

Mine is actual dimensions 3/4" x 9". I had it left over from making shelves in a closet. It seems over built at those dimensions but thicker and wider could look better for sure.

Thanks again for the info. I'll have to do some measurements to see what i think will work. Just afraid of light spillage out into the room. My kessil on the gooseneck drives my wife crazy and had to move my tank out of the living room because of it. so i was thinking i should try to limit the amount of light not going directly into the tank.

I already have half a sheet of heavy duty 1" plyboard to attach the ballasts to. and some 1x9 birch ply but probably only enough of that to do the front and sides. I'll have to hold it up to the tank tonight and see what i think. You are probably right about the 1x16 being too much. Especially since i think the tank is only 13 or 14 inches tall.

 

[Buku]

If you wanted to build your own I would use 80/20 1” extruded aluminum for the frame. You could use T5 retro kits and make a holder for your Kessil in the middle. Then I would skin the outside with some venner to keep the light from spilling into the room.

 

[Mycota]

If you wanted to build your own I would use 80/20 1” extruded aluminum for the frame. You could use T5 retro kits and make a holder for your Kessil in the middle. Then I would skin the outside with some venner to keep the light from spilling into the room.

I've never worked with aluminum before but that does have a nice look and would allow much better air flow than plyboard. I'm using the t5ho retro kits and just received them today. How would i fix them to the aluminium? Would they just slide in the slots or aomething? I'm having a hard time imagining how it would all go together. I'll try to look up some diy info on it later tonight if i have time.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Buku]

I've never worked with aluminum before but that does have a nice look and would allow much better air flow than plyboard. I'm using the t5ho retro kits and just received them today. How would i fix them to the aluminium? Would they just slide in the slots or aomething? I'm having a hard time imagining how it would all go together. I'll try to look up some diy info on it later tonight if i have time.

Thanks for the input!

It would depend on how the retro kit mounts normally. If it’s supposed to screw in I would get some short bolts with nuts and lock washers and do like you said by sliding them in and tightening them down.

It’s really easy. Just draw up what you want and take measurements, then it’s cut to order. The 90 angles I found are cheaper on eBay by about half the price, but with such a small build it probably won’t save much.

 

[Buku]

Currently resetting up my tanks so it’s a mess, but once everything is organized it does have a clean look.

 

[Mycota]

Currently resetting up my tanks so it’s a mess, but once everything is organized it does have a clean look.

That aluminum has a nice look and after reading about it it seems to be pretty easy to work with. However, it occurred to me that if i make a canopy with just side panels I will have a ton of light spillage up on the ceiling. I want to make a new stand at some point and may utilize the aluminium but for now I think i am probably just going to keep it simple and use plyboard with 1x9s around it.

Thanks for all the info and introduction to the 80/20 aluminium. I am definitely going to use that if i ever set up my 90g again that needs a new stand.