???? for the T5 guys

[tgriffin]

I'm curious about how many retro T5's can fit in a canopy that is 30"x30"?? I am looking at lighting a 93 cube so it will be 24" deep and going bare bottom. I want predominately SPS with a few LPS. I will be making a canopy that will support a single MH pendant if I don't get the growth I want from T5's. I would make an adjustable rack that I can mount in the canopy and be able to adjust the height inside the canopy anywhere from 1/2" off the water to close to 15". I didn't know what the width of the individual reflectors were and if I would be able to push enough light to "grow" SPS.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[rolo65]

Kinda figure if you do individual reflectors at 2.5-3" each.....so maybe 10?

 

[tgriffin]

so would 10 be enough for SPS?? I know they don't put out much watts

 

[mockery]

Well they only come in 24, 36, 48, ect lenghts. So I'll have to do 24in stagered in the canopy. But if you use an icecap ballast that will overdrive the bulbs if you do this and have 8 or 10 bulbs should be able to do sps no problem.

 

[tgriffin]

does overdriving them make more heat? can you still get a year out of them by overdriving?

 

[mockery]

I'm no expert. But I believe with enought fans to cool the bulbs they should be able to last a year.

 

[mufret]

Yes, overdriving them with an IceCap will increase the heat.

 

[rolo65]

Yeah it increases the heat....and the won't last the usual time even with cooling fans....but only by maybe 3 months or so less....better to rotate bulbs to keep the PAR steady over time IME....

 

[weaglereefer]

I think when you overdrive you push the usable life down to 8-9 months at 10 hours a day. A single 250w or 400w bulb will be comparable, maybe a little less in yearly replacement costs, and you could always add some 24" actinics if you don't get enough blue.

 

[smoothie]

au01st;485784 wrote: i think when you overdrive you push the usable life down to 8-9 months at 10 hours a day. A single 250w or 400w bulb will be comparable, maybe a little less in yearly replacement costs, and you could always add some 24" actinics if you don't get enough blue.

+1