Dimmable T5 Retrofit Options

[Aaron Stone]

Seems T5 dimmable ballast for dual or quad (4 foot) 54W T5 bulbs are becoming less available. 4' ATI Sunpower Dimmable lamps are not sold by BRS anymore either. I know this as my Sunpower had flicker and took it down at maybe 7 years old. Did see a few 39 watt dimmable options in commercial or hobbyist places

Not a plug in anysense, just hobbyist and based on options I got two of the newer stratons. Tank is a little rough as light died and recovering at 30% LED output. Haze is from recent cleaning detritus out. They were pain to hang with after market parts but performance is great and runs very cool, has great spectrum options and easy to program once connected. I really only did it based on options out now. It needs to run 6-8 years to be on cost basis of new t5 lamp including energy and annual bulb changes.

I looked at the Stratons. They seem like a solid option, great coverage, and are pretty sharp looking.

My only issue with them was the static blanket of light that they give, similar to all T5, which is not what I prefer. I have always loved the light and shimmer of the MH combined with the smoothing of the T5. The Kessils with the T5 are the closest that I have seen to that look. I love the movement imparted by the point source light with the harsh edges smoothed out by the fill light.

 

[Beruka]

I got to 153's. Two 204' blanket the 4'. I have tried kessil in small tanks and they work well for 4-6 years-ish. I run simple first though and not having 4 T5 cords and 3 spot light LED cords all rat nesting.

Not getting high tech points but I would grow corals like weeds with 2 -250 MH and T5 supplement on actual live rock in way past.

If T5 are perfect coverage, these are close with 8-10 inches of tank not covered. Spectral choices and blending as good as curent leds allow. Needs to be 10" off tank but needs to be for safety and longevity anyway.

Color bit more pastel than brans new ATI T5 bulbs. Hard to describe but some actinic and color depth is not as good. After month color memory fades and it looks great though.

I just run kalk liquor at night, old danner mag pumps and life rref skimmer still works. Pretty basic.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’m running halides, with T5 and LED currently. The look is unbeatable.

I’ve run Kessil and T5. The shimmer and overall look is pretty impressive.

 

[Aaron Stone]

I’m running halides, with T5 and LED currently. The look is unbeatable.

I’ve run Kessil and T5. The shimmer and overall look is pretty impressive.

Man, all three. You just need to throw in some PC lights for a full house!

 

[bobnicaragua]

Man, all three. You just need to throw in some PC lights for a full house!

 

[Aaron Stone]

Shiny! Love it!

The lighting seems to look pretty natural. Man I miss my MH.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Shiny! Love it!

The lighting seems to look pretty natural. Man I miss my MH.

I play around with lighting a lot. Halides give you deeper natural colors, but the biggest benefit I notice is the acros are happy and hardier.

 

[Beruka]

I have 4 MH ballasts in new condition. Since Radium are discontinued and Hamilton Tech bailed, I bailed too.

BRS sells MH related items now. I have not been able to sell these new in box MH ballasts are no one wants them anymore. MH had a glow box effect where flood tank gave off light in all angles. Par meter will not capture this effect. These MH reflectors are long since gone too except a rare special order.

It seems aquarium market is slow. MACNA cancelled. LED vendors come and go fast and lots of gadgets not really needed to run a good tank.

 

[Beruka]

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