Questions about T5s

[FishieBusiness]

I'm adding t5s to my setup. Planning on adding 2 2bulb retro kits.

Is it worth getting dimmable fixtures? They cost more per fix. and then I have to pick up a dimmer mod. for my apex.

How long should the t5s be on?

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

I'm adding t5s to my setup. Planning on adding 2 2bulb retro kits.

Is it worth getting dimmable fixtures? They cost more per fix. and then I have to pick up a dimmer mod. for my apex.

How long should the t5s be on?

From what I've read it isn't necessary for dimmable t5's, that it's more for aesthetic purposes. All the heavy hitters that run them just have them turn on full tilt.

 

[coralfishreef]

If you have a LED / T5 hybrid, can set the LEDs to ramp up / down instead of using dimmable T5.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

I run an ATI 8 bulb, two blues come on at noon and stay on until 11pm. The other 6 bulbs come on at 3pm and shut.off at 9pm

 

[afboundguy]

If you're just doing a 2 bulb add on I'd suggest 2 ATI blue+ bulbs. They throw off a ton of PAR and look awesome... As far as the dimming I'd say go for it as it's not that much money and it's better to have it and never want to use it than want to use it and not have it.

I will also suggest if you buy the dimmable ballasts to not dim the bulbs for a few weeks. You should run T5 bulbs at 100% for roughly 50 hours before you start dimming them for best performance and bulb life...

 

[FishieBusiness]

Pulled the trigger last Wednesday nite ordered the light kits and a few other things. Picking up the bulbs from Dong tomorrow. Everything else should be here tomorrow.

Guess what I'm doin this weekend.

 

[coralfishreef]

Did you go with dimmable ballasts?

 

[FishieBusiness]

Did you go with dimmable ballasts?

No just reg. ballast. Running 2-250w MHs for main lighting. I dont really see the need to dim the T5s after so research