actinic - PC to T5 switch

[hobogato]

well, i have been holding on to my pc actinics for long enough, and finally decided to switch over to T5 for actinic suppliment instead. i was running eight 65 watt actinic retro kits on my tank, and decided to switch over to eight 24" and four 36" high output T5 bulbs. i went to workhorse 7 ballasts for this - three of em. the bulbs i chose are the URI super actinic that supposedly put out 40 watts on a 24" and 65 watts on a 36" if you have the ballast power to do it. so if that is true, i am now running 580 watts of T5 lights. here are a few pics.

i used solartube material to make the reflectors.

tank with PC actinics
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/tankpcactinic.jpg

acrylic shells i built to house the T5s
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/t5acrylic2.jpg

the two configurations i used

2 X 24"
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/t52foot.jpg
a 24" with a 36"
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/t5combo.jpg

one side installed (looks the same on the other side of the tank) they BARELY fit! :o
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/t5installed.jpg

cruddy full tank shot with the T5s - with the PC lights, my camera wouldnt go faster than 1/6 of a second exposure, where with the T5s, it was set at 1/30 of a second - translation, the T5s are WAY brighter :)
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/tankt5actinic.jpg

[5.0Stang]

Saw it in person looks awsome now thats what im gonna stuff in the other side of my reflectors WHEN I FINALLY GET MY CANOPY! :lol

[JimD]

Hows about a shot with the actinics and the halides on.

[hobogato]

here ya go - all lights on - three 250 watt SE reeflux 12k, two 250 watt DE reeflux 12, and 580 watts of T5 super actinic.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/2007_02.jpg

[Bill S]

Ace, just curious. How come T5s instead of VHO?

[hobogato]

space. i can fit more wattage and i like the way they looked on the clam tank.