T5 setup - cheap cheap cheap

fixingstill · 04/09/2018, 02:13 PM

I am cheap and I enjoy piecing things together.
To try to get a T5 setup with four 36" lamp, 2 channels for white and blue in my canopy with Apex VDM 0-10V control.

I see LET LIGHTING MIRO-4 retrofit kit seems to be the best deal at $121.99 at BRS. I will need 2. That is $244, then the lamps.

For $244, I get reflectors, end caps, wiring for 4 lamps, and 2 dimmable ballast + power cords.
What is the brand of the dimmable ballast?
I have seen dual T8 light fixtures at Home Depot and Lowes for ~$10 years ago (when they were dumping them - I know). That was with reflectors, ballasts, wiring, end caps, everything.
If I can find such that fits four T5 36" lamp for cheap, and I replace the ballast with a dimmable one, would it be cheaper than the LET MIRO-4?

Anyone as cheap as me and were able to put such together? Or it is not worth it?

mcgyvr · 04/09/2018, 02:31 PM

HEP group ballasts in that kit..
You can likely piece together whats in the kit for less than 120 too..

RobZilla04 · 04/10/2018, 05:15 AM

There was a YouTube video where a guy used three LET Retro kits and some simply 1X2's to make a 6 bulb "fixture".

Hard to beat the convenience of that kit. I've got a two bulb supplement for my LED's.

tthouston · 04/10/2018, 12:46 PM

lol....If you cheap then you won't use T5 light, If you use T5 light then you won't cheap.
Why?
you have to replace the bulb every 6 months or every year and electric bill monthly is higher than LED lights. Do the math...lol

Homestead_Dad · 04/10/2018, 02:01 PM

There are some cheaper t5 units on eBay I think they run about $100 shipped

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

hkgar · 04/10/2018, 02:55 PM

I built my own using aluminum angle brackets. I shopped around for ballasts (got Workhorse 7's on ebay I believe), and end caps and reflectors. No kits.
Here is a picture.

jphayes921 · 04/11/2018, 06:44 AM

I also have made my own canopy with T5s I got from work (FREE!!!). We upgraded to LEDs in the shop and I got as many light sets as I wanted.

Although, you can buy each piece separately and wire together. The expense is going to be the ballasts and bulbs. Need to search for the ballast/s that fit your needs. The ends are cheap, google T5 lamp holder. All in all, mine cost me around $120 for bulbs, timer, some wire, a couple of switches and a little bit of time building the canopy. Good Luck.

shaginwagon13 · 04/12/2018, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fixingstill

I am cheap and I enjoy piecing things together.
To try to get a T5 setup with four 36" lamp, 2 channels for white and blue in my canopy with Apex VDM 0-10V control.

I see LET LIGHTING MIRO-4 retrofit kit seems to be the best deal at $121.99 at BRS. I will need 2. That is $244, then the lamps.

For $244, I get reflectors, end caps, wiring for 4 lamps, and 2 dimmable ballast + power cords.
What is the brand of the dimmable ballast?
I have seen dual T8 light fixtures at Home Depot and Lowes for ~$10 years ago (when they were dumping them - I know). That was with reflectors, ballasts, wiring, end caps, everything.
If I can find such that fits four T5 36" lamp for cheap, and I replace the ballast with a dimmable one, would it be cheaper than the LET MIRO-4?

Anyone as cheap as me and were able to put such together? Or it is not worth it?

Won't get cheaper than this... and shipping is free with Prime. Might have to change the bulbs out to reef ones.

https://www.amazon.com/GoodBulb-High...ds=HO+t5&psc=1

Abstract3000 · 04/13/2018, 01:36 AM

While there is always an option of DIY and saving money, if your looking to get the best performance out of the fixtures you are building I would ensure the reflectors you are purchasing are Parabolic, and I wouldn't Skimp on the bulbs, just my 2 cents.

04/09/2018, 02:13 PM	#1
fixingstill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 249	T5 setup - cheap cheap cheap I am cheap and I enjoy piecing things together. To try to get a T5 setup with four 36" lamp, 2 channels for white and blue in my canopy with Apex VDM 0-10V control. I see LET LIGHTING MIRO-4 retrofit kit seems to be the best deal at $121.99 at BRS. I will need 2. That is $244, then the lamps. For $244, I get reflectors, end caps, wiring for 4 lamps, and 2 dimmable ballast + power cords. What is the brand of the dimmable ballast? I have seen dual T8 light fixtures at Home Depot and Lowes for ~$10 years ago (when they were dumping them - I know). That was with reflectors, ballasts, wiring, end caps, everything. If I can find such that fits four T5 36" lamp for cheap, and I replace the ballast with a dimmable one, would it be cheaper than the LET MIRO-4? Anyone as cheap as me and were able to put such together? Or it is not worth it?

04/09/2018, 02:31 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	HEP group ballasts in that kit.. You can likely piece together whats in the kit for less than 120 too.. __________________ Who me?

04/10/2018, 05:15 AM	#3
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	There was a YouTube video where a guy used three LET Retro kits and some simply 1X2's to make a 6 bulb "fixture". Hard to beat the convenience of that kit. I've got a two bulb supplement for my LED's. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/10/2018, 02:55 PM	#6
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I built my own using aluminum angle brackets. I shopped around for ballasts (got Workhorse 7's on ebay I believe), and end caps and reflectors. No kits. Here is a picture. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

04/10/2018, 12:46 PM	#4
tthouston Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 128	lol....If you cheap then you won't use T5 light, If you use T5 light then you won't cheap. Why? you have to replace the bulb every 6 months or every year and electric bill monthly is higher than LED lights. Do the math...lol

04/10/2018, 02:01 PM	#5
Homestead_Dad Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 44	There are some cheaper t5 units on eBay I think they run about $100 shipped Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/11/2018, 06:44 AM	#7
jphayes921 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Linden, MI Posts: 53	I also have made my own canopy with T5s I got from work (FREE!!!). We upgraded to LEDs in the shop and I got as many light sets as I wanted. Although, you can buy each piece separately and wire together. The expense is going to be the ballasts and bulbs. Need to search for the ballast/s that fit your needs. The ends are cheap, google T5 lamp holder. All in all, mine cost me around $120 for bulbs, timer, some wire, a couple of switches and a little bit of time building the canopy. Good Luck.

04/13/2018, 01:36 AM	#9
Abstract3000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 50	While there is always an option of DIY and saving money, if your looking to get the best performance out of the fixtures you are building I would ensure the reflectors you are purchasing are Parabolic, and I wouldn't Skimp on the bulbs, just my 2 cents.