30" to 24" Coralife fixture mod DONE! pics pg.2

Hi folks,

I currently have the Coralife Lunar Aqualight T5 4 bulb 30" fixture which takes the ever elusive 30" bulbs made exclusively by Coralife.
I'd really like to run high end bulbs but have zero options with 30” bulbs.

I'm been throwing around the idea of converting the fixture to run 24" bulbs.

The fixture has 2, 2x39watt ballasts now.
My thoughts are to install new ballasts which are designed for the factory 24" Coralife fixture and then simply moving 4 bulb sockets 6" closer.

Here is the link to the 2x39watt ballast currently installed.
http://www.directpowersupply.com/searchquick-submit.sc?keywords=T5120-239HOMPF

Here is the link to the 2x24watt ballast.
http://www.directpowersupply.com/Lightpark-Electronic-Ballast-24W-470020.htm

I have no experience with T5HO systems but I don’t see why this wouldn’t work. It would essentially be a 24” system in a 30” shell.
I'd like to try LEDs eventually but that may wait for a bigger tank so I'm just ready yet.

Please, give me some positive or negative encouragement and\or your experiences with any DYI T5 or VHO canopy builds that were been popular for years!

Am I missing something???

Thanks,

FB

 

afternoon bumpitty bump

 

Evening bump.
Thoughts anyone?

 

Your thoughts are right on. Full speed ahead.

 

Yup sounds like a plan.

 

+2

FWIW, some of your higher end T5 models use 24" bulbs in a 30" fixture, such as my Current USA Nova Extreme.

 

Thanks folks.

Just wanna make sure I'm not missing anything.

I'd like to just go with a new controllable LED fixture and be done with it but I can order new ballasts and bulbs for less than half the price of one.


Besides, I've been dreaming of building a 40b or 90 peninsula, or maybe a cube so I'm ultimately trying to ramp down the spending into this build....

 

Well, I've ordered the ballasts tonight. Hopefully they'll be here before the weekend so I'll have time for the project.

I've taken your advice and ordered ATI's

Blue Plus
Coral Plus
Blue Plus
Coral Plus

I'm excited, hope this project turns out well!

 

Ballasts came in last night. They're the exact same size, this will work as planned.

Started and finished modding the fixture last night.

Had to cut 8 new rectangular holes in the reflector for the lamp sockets.
Was NOT easy, took about 5 hours!
Had to relocate the reflector mounts because, of course, the new socket locations ended up right over the mounting holes.

Came out excellent.

I'll do the electrical work tonight and hopefully post some pics of the process Thursday night.

 

+1 I had Giesemann 24" bulbs in my 30" fixture. It should work just fine