48" Aqualight Pro replace CF with T5

Has anyone done or have any suggestions on upgrading a Aqualight Pro from 2 CF's to 4 T5's? Could the same ballasts be used? Is there enough room for 2 sets of endcaps?

 

I would assume that it can be done... But I don't think the ballast would still work? Not positive tho...

 

I know a guy that did... thought about doing the same.... but here is the deal You can only do 2x54w.... so 216w total of T5 vs. 192w of PC you have now.... ya T5s are better.... but going through all that work to get 24ws more of T5... they are not that great. Ballasts would need to be replaced and it is a tight fit. But yes, it has been done and then you woudl have a much wider selection of bulbs.

 

not worth the hassle, money, or time. just get some new uvl pc bulbs.. if you have orginal stock bulbs now, these will be a big upgrade.

ReefGeek > Lighting > Power Compact Fluorescent > Bulbs

 

I have the exact fixture. This is 2-150's & 2-94x PC's. I've always wondered the same. I disagree that it would not be worth time/money. PC's have become a thing of the past. There is even a shortage of replacement bulbs.
It would be a benefit to be able to change out those PC's for T5's. Especially when you consider the pound for pound benefits of each lamp, not to mention $$.
I was at my LFS this past weekend and asked one of the more knowledgable guys. They said it was not possible.....hard for me to believe. Retro & upgrades are a necessity in this hobby since everything is so expensive.

 

I would rather replace PC's to T5's for a few hundred bucks than replace & retire a complete fixture for 800-900 bucks.
Can you get us some info Powerman?

 

I havent had problems getting my power compact bulbs online. reefgeek, drfostersmith,aquacave, ebay etc always has them. For $70 shipped he can get 2 new uvl 96w cp bulbs. just to rewire and buy new t5 ballasts, end caps, and new t5 bulbs he'll probly be over $130+ plus time and hassle to rework that fixture. yes t5's are good units, but if you havent seen or owned a uvl pc bulb , you dont really know there quality. they "uvl" uses the same phospurs in their t5 bulbs as they do in the pc-r bulbs. I've personally have seen the difference between odyssea, current sunpaq, corallife, and uvl power compact bulbs.

 

$260 a year for PC bulbs? VS. an investment of $130 then $95 a year thereafter? Considering the quality after retro?
HHHmmm, I think I'll sweat to make it work.

 

Say what? I just replaced mine with SPS dual actinics for $75 total 1-1.5 years on the bulbs. Don't know why you are spending $260/yr.

I'll try to find the guy that did it. I talked to him and asked him about it. He was happy, but I did not see the need. I'll see what I can find.

 

You keep your PC's for 1-1.5 years?