Custom LED Hybrid T5 question. Using Radion G3's

Mustang67 · 03/09/2015, 06:53 PM

Hello All,

Currently I have 3x Radion XR30W G3's and I would like to add T5's to the set up.

The Radions are 7x12 and looks like they cover 30x30x36 of tank space. Being that my tank is 72Lx36D I went with 3 x Radions.

I am thinking of making a custom chassis to house the Radions and add 8x 3ft T5's to it. The goal is to have T5's run the length of the tank. Being that the tank is 72" I would run 2x 3FT T5's front and back of the lights (See design below, please excuse the poor art work)

Lastly I have a Marineland Monterey Canopy that I would need to install this in.

Is this doable and any pointers or recommendations?

banthonyb71 · 03/09/2015, 07:55 PM

You know, I've been asking similar questions on here for awhile now. Although slightly different. With varying degree of feedback. It's seems LED/t5 experts pick and choose which thread and idea they attach to. Have you looked at this thread?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2364598

Another way I get ideas is doing a search using key words t5 and led (Title search only) I have got quite a bit of ideas from several threads this way. but what you are doing seems something that can be done. I would definitely run a dimmer on the t5's

myaerica · 03/09/2015, 09:34 PM

What about getting 8 2 footers and running the bulbs the other way vertical?

banthonyb71 · 03/10/2015, 08:14 AM

There is a member on here (Rocket Engineer) who has done something very similar. His build is on 1 of the last few pages of the thread I posted. You could also pm him for questions, he more than likely will be glad to offer some pointers.

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banthonyb71

There is a member on here (Rocket Engineer) who has done something very similar. His build is on 1 of the last few pages of the thread I posted. You could also pm him for questions, he more than likely will be glad to offer some pointers.

Great, will do and Ty!

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banthonyb71

You know, I've been asking similar questions on here for awhile now. Although slightly different. With varying degree of feedback. It's seems LED/t5 experts pick and choose which thread and idea they attach to. Have you looked at this thread?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2364598

Another way I get ideas is doing a search using key words t5 and led (Title search only) I have got quite a bit of ideas from several threads this way. but what you are doing seems something that can be done. I would definitely run a dimmer on the t5's

Yes I too initially posted my question on the DIY forum and did not get any feedback so I then posted it here. I did look through the thread you shared and I considered posting my question there but I did not want to hijack the thread.

It does seem that a T5/LED combo is the way to go, to much positive feedback for me not to start off with that kind of a combo.

In regard to the dimmer, do you know how it would work using these from BRS http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/3-ft-l...dca072d4f.html

And do you know if I would be able to use them with my APEX system?

jedimasterben · 03/10/2015, 12:24 PM

Why not use 5' T5 so that you'll only need four instead of eight? Cost is about half and you'll still get the same coverage.

I don't personally recommend dimming T5HO bulbs. Even though the ballasts can be designed for it and do it relatively well, it reduces usable lifespan of the bulbs. The kit you linked to is not dimmable. Dimmable T5 ballasts are around $90-120 each.

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedimasterben

Why not use 5' T5 so that you'll only need four instead of eight? Cost is about half and you'll still get the same coverage.

I don't personally recommend dimming T5HO bulbs. Even though the ballasts can be designed for it and do it relatively well, it reduces usable lifespan of the bulbs. The kit you linked to is not dimmable. Dimmable T5 ballasts are around $90-120 each.

Yeah a little to late for that, I am not one for sitting to long on an idea. I bought 8 from BRS. I have to be quick sometimes, if my wife see's paypal up on my screen she knows im buying stuff again. She says happy wife, happy life and then she says buy another thing for that fish tank and I will drown you in it

So I see your comment that its not healthy to dim the T5's, I will just out them on the timer.

I read quite a few of your posts on LED's. Do you think that 3x Radion G3's are good enough for a 72x36x27 tank? 300 DD tank

jedimasterben · 03/10/2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang67

Yeah a little to late for that, I am not one for sitting to long on an idea. I bought 8 from BRS. I have to be quick sometimes, if my wife see's paypal up on my screen she knows im buying stuff again. She says happy wife, happy life and then she says buy another thing for that fish tank and I will drown you in it

So I see your comment that its not healthy to dim the T5's, I will just out them on the timer.

I read quite a few of your posts on LED's. Do you think that 3x Radion G3's are good enough for a 72x36x27 tank? 300 DD tank

The LEDs alone are nowhere near enough for coverage, you'd need around double for proper coverage.

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedimasterben

The LEDs alone are nowhere near enough for coverage, you'd need around double for proper coverage.

Oh no.. ok so maybe not a happy wife. I thought the G3 coverage was 30x30 roughly.. 72" tank so 3 will give me 90" of coverage???

What am I missing.. and go lite on me please

jedimasterben · 03/10/2015, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang67

Oh no.. ok so maybe not a happy wife. I thought the G3 coverage was 30x30 roughly.. 72" tank so 3 will give me 90" of coverage???

What am I missing.. and go lite on me please

Ecotech would say that the Radion would cover a 48x48 area for a full SPS reef if they thought people wouldn't call them out for it. 24x24 is a stretch as it is for a light that is only 12" long, much less the 30x30 or 36x36 coverage that Ecotech claims. LEDs light the area directly under them in a cone. Anything that is blocking that cone has full shadow behind it, so if you have an SPS that is growing up and manages to block what is under it, well, you get the picture. Without multiple light source points you can't avoid this shadowing, so you either need to add quite a bit more LEDs or use fluorescents to make up for it.

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedimasterben

Ecotech would say that the Radion would cover a 48x48 area for a full SPS reef if they thought people wouldn't call them out for it. 24x24 is a stretch as it is for a light that is only 12" long, much less the 30x30 or 36x36 coverage that Ecotech claims. LEDs light the area directly under them in a cone. Anything that is blocking that cone has full shadow behind it, so if you have an SPS that is growing up and manages to block what is under it, well, you get the picture. Without multiple light source points you can't avoid this shadowing, so you either need to add quite a bit more LEDs or use fluorescents to make up for it.

Ok understood and Ty. I will order a few more G3's

jedimasterben · 03/10/2015, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang67

Ok understood and Ty. I will order a few more G3's

Well, you bought the T5 already, though

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedimasterben

Well, you bought the T5 already, though

So are you saying that with the T5's I wont need more Radions?

jedimasterben · 03/10/2015, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang67

So are you saying that with the T5's I wont need more Radions?

Correct. You could add more Radions, but obviously that is a very costly endeavor lol.

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedimasterben

Correct. You could add more Radions, but obviously that is a very costly endeavor lol.

I will add 2 more so a total of 5 Radions and then the T5's. So plenty of lighting and I can always power down the T5's if they are too much.

jedimasterben · 03/10/2015, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang67

I will add 2 more so a total of 5 Radions and then the T5's. So plenty of lighting and I can always power down the T5's if they are too much.

The problem is spread from front to back, 36" is just a stretch, so adding more in line with the others won't help much IMHO.

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedimasterben

The problem is spread from front to back, 36" is just a stretch, so adding more in line with the others won't help much IMHO.

Perhaps I will try and stagger them a bit, I will give it a shot and see how it looks. I can always modify the configuration, such as add or remove lights later on if necessary.

banthonyb71 · 03/10/2015, 05:48 PM

well I'm glad to see you where able to find some experienced help on your thread

but what happen? Why r u back peddling from your original idea? I think the t5/led was a great idea

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banthonyb71

well I'm glad to see you where able to find some experienced help on your thread

but what happen? Why r u back peddling from your original idea? I think the t5/led was a great idea

No I am going to stay with the T5/ Led combo.

So the 8x 3ft T5's, two in the front and two in the back. And will also have 5 x Radion G3's in the middle of the configuration as posted in the initial photo. If the T5's are two much I can always turn them off.

banthonyb71 · 03/10/2015, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang67

No I am going to stay with the T5/ Led combo.

So the 8x 3ft T5's, two in the front and two in the back. And will also have 5 x Radion G3's in the middle of the configuration as posted in the initial photo. If the T5's are two much I can always turn them off.

I would still rather dim the bulbs vs having to shut them off but thats just me.

but, while I got Jedi Master here mind if I ask him a quick question?

who makes the best multichip LEDs for diy?

and right back on topic

Mustang...so do u already have all your t5's and ballasts purchased?

Mustang67 · 03/10/2015, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banthonyb71

I would still rather dim the bulbs vs having to shut them off but thats just me.

but, while I got Jedi Master here mind if I ask him a quick question?

who makes the best multichip LEDs for diy?

and right back on topic

Mustang...so do u already have all your t5's and ballasts purchased?

Yeah no worries ask away... that's what this is for.

banthonyb71 · 03/11/2015, 10:22 PM

uh. oh. looks like the Jedi Master has went on hatius. is a shame. although I think I know the answer to my question now, because I seen a review he did on Nano reef giving the lumia good results

terry4505 · 03/12/2015, 04:34 AM

I modded an 8 Bulb Tek light with two G3 Radions for my 48" 120 and have been thrilled with how it came out.

jedimasterben · 03/12/2015, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banthonyb71

uh. oh. looks like the Jedi Master has went on hatius. is a shame. although I think I know the answer to my question now, because I seen a review he did on Nano reef giving the lumia good results

On hiatus? lol

But yeah, the Lumia is one of the better choices for multichips.

03/09/2015, 06:53 PM	#1
Mustang67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Utica, NY Posts: 245	Custom LED Hybrid T5 question. Using Radion G3's Hello All, Currently I have 3x Radion XR30W G3's and I would like to add T5's to the set up. The Radions are 7x12 and looks like they cover 30x30x36 of tank space. Being that my tank is 72Lx36D I went with 3 x Radions. I am thinking of making a custom chassis to house the Radions and add 8x 3ft T5's to it. The goal is to have T5's run the length of the tank. Being that the tank is 72" I would run 2x 3FT T5's front and back of the lights (See design below, please excuse the poor art work) Lastly I have a Marineland Monterey Canopy that I would need to install this in. Is this doable and any pointers or recommendations?

03/10/2015, 12:24 PM	#7
jedimasterben LED world domination! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Okeechobee, FL Posts: 1,030	Why not use 5' T5 so that you'll only need four instead of eight? Cost is about half and you'll still get the same coverage. I don't personally recommend dimming T5HO bulbs. Even though the ballasts can be designed for it and do it relatively well, it reduces usable lifespan of the bulbs. The kit you linked to is not dimmable. Dimmable T5 ballasts are around $90-120 each. __________________ Dinoflagellates are the kiss of death. Current Tank Info: Acquasole 60, IceCap 15 Sump, 2x Maxspect Ethereal, Coral Box D500 skimmer, Maxspect Gyre 150, Jecod DCS-5000

03/09/2015, 07:55 PM	#2
banthonyb71 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 635	You know, I've been asking similar questions on here for awhile now. Although slightly different. With varying degree of feedback. It's seems LED/t5 experts pick and choose which thread and idea they attach to. Have you looked at this thread? http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2364598 Another way I get ideas is doing a search using key words t5 and led (Title search only) I have got quite a bit of ideas from several threads this way. but what you are doing seems something that can be done. I would definitely run a dimmer on the t5's

03/09/2015, 09:34 PM	#3
myaerica Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eau Claire,WI Posts: 461	What about getting 8 2 footers and running the bulbs the other way vertical?

03/10/2015, 08:14 AM	#4
banthonyb71 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 635	There is a member on here (Rocket Engineer) who has done something very similar. His build is on 1 of the last few pages of the thread I posted. You could also pm him for questions, he more than likely will be glad to offer some pointers.

03/10/2015, 05:48 PM	#19
banthonyb71 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 635	well I'm glad to see you where able to find some experienced help on your thread but what happen? Why r u back peddling from your original idea? I think the t5/led was a great idea

03/11/2015, 10:22 PM	#23
banthonyb71 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 635	uh. oh. looks like the Jedi Master has went on hatius. is a shame. although I think I know the answer to my question now, because I seen a review he did on Nano reef giving the lumia good results

03/12/2015, 04:34 AM	#24
terry4505 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rochester, Ny Posts: 663	I modded an 8 Bulb Tek light with two G3 Radions for my 48" 120 and have been thrilled with how it came out.