DIY T5 question

[lightcycler]

I have been searching the net for the DIY T5 setup I want and haven't found it. Maybe it doesn't exist. I have several ice cap 660 ballasts. I know the lights I want to run and will order seperately. I've seen all the single T5 reflectors and can take those and build a canopy ........many options here but...........
What I would like to find is a fixture that has the endcaps installed, single reflectors, switches and at least two power cords. Looking for a 6 or 8 bulb 48" configuration. Maybe even fans? Without ballasts and lamps. I can build this out of wood but thinking something exists. Most of the DIY kits have ballasts..........even lights.........The Tek kit is close as well as some others I've looked at. I hope this makes sense on what I'm trying to find.

[Poseidon]

I haven't seen anything like that.

[SouthBayPhoto]

Me either and I tried to search for every T5 configuration when I was going to order mine...just to see the price differences if any.

[Samper]

I don't think you are going to find a DIY T5 kit like that. I'm sure some of the pre made fixtures have these features. The coralvue fixtures that I use have the endcaps, individual reflectors and ballast built in. They are nice and clean even without a canopy. I plug the fixture into a timer and off we go. The fans are unnecessary with T5's in my situations but if you run high tank temps without lights you may want some. I have four of these fixtures over a 180, two of them over a 75 here and 3 of them on a 75 back home.

[lightcycler]

Well I kept digging and think I found exactly what I'm looking for..............now..........seems a little pricey? That is part of the idea of DIY huh? The other part of course is putting together exactly what I want for components. This allows me to overdrive with icecaps for sure.
48" Solar Flare 6 LampT5 Fixture w/o Ballasts & w/o Moonlights by Aquactinics* - AquaCave

I have not shopped the aquactinics........this was just where I found it first.

[lightcycler]

Still digging with some success tonight. Aquactinics Solar Flare T5 High Output Fixtures - Salty Critter - Your Saltwater Specialists

$410.95 seems like a pretty good price for 6 lamp setup with icecap slr's. I figure $200 for the slr's and endcaps. Cost of the housing, power cords, switches.........and uhhhhhhhhhh ya labor Add ballasts and away we go. They sell a system where the ballast system is a 660 and a 430 one running four and one running two which is ok but I would rather run two 660's and split it 3 and 3.

Well its nap time. What are your thoughts?

[calming-creations]

I have been searching the net for the DIY T5 setup I want and haven't found it. Maybe it doesn't exist. I have several ice cap 660 ballasts. I know the lights I want to run and will order seperately. I've seen all the single T5 reflectors and can take those and build a canopy ........many options here but...........
What I would like to find is a fixture that has the endcaps installed, single reflectors, switches and at least two power cords. Looking for a 6 or 8 bulb 48" configuration. Maybe even fans? Without ballasts and lamps. I can build this out of wood but thinking something exists. Most of the DIY kits have ballasts..........even lights.........The Tek kit is close as well as some others I've looked at. I hope this makes sense on what I'm trying to find.

Hi, I have access to many of the components that you you have decribed above and believe that may even have a setup that you are looking for a diy project. I am currently on Easter break and won't be home till Tuesday, but if you send me a PM and some exact specs I'll get you some pricing. Thanks.

Joe

[Poseidon]

Man that seems EXPENSIVE for a housing. Oh, as for the ballasts, I don't think that you'd see a difference in performance between the 2 bulbs driven by the 430 instead of a 660. Unless you want 3 and 3 for other reasons. (It seems to me a 4 + 2 would work great for dawn to dusk effect though.)

[lightcycler]

That $410 price is housing, 6 ice cap slr's, t5 end caps, switches, cords, fans. No ballast, moon lights or bulbs.

[Poseidon]

Ya, I got that part, but lets say you add your own ballasts and bulbs... You have $300 into the ballasts, and then using $25 for an average bulb price, X6 bulbs, that is another $150. So, $860 for a 6 bulbs T5 fixture? I guess so, if that is what you want, but I know I didn't spend that much for mine. (Mine is a retro built into a canopy, so that is like comparing apples to oranges I guess.)

[lightcycler]

Ya its hard to compare but still.........it should all be considered. In the end if I'm going to wire this thing up and spend the time then there should be some money saved somewhere. Thanks for the feedback Poseidon and I may go with a canopy as well. Exploring the options right now. This is my first set up. Running NO's right now. Time to start running with the big dogs

[lightcycler]

Samper I have seen your pics from the sticky and yes I like the look of the coralvue's. I have it set in my mind to overdrive with icecaps......mainly because I have them already.