24" T5s aren't really 24" they're 22"???

[brandyrb]

Ok, so I ordered 24" T5s thinking they would fit in a 24" PFO parallel reflector and after installing the end caps, we went to test the bulbs and they don't reach to the end caps. The bulbs are actually 22". I don't get it. Why are they advertised as 24"? Is this supposed to be common knowledge or something? I guess we'll deal with it but it's kindof frustrating. The bulbs are giesemann.

My husband is really mad at me right now and wishes I would've bought 48" bulbs with their own reflectors. I am refusing to return them because I want more room over the tank and figured we could use up the room that is already required for halides. It's going to be crowded as it is.

So how many of you mount your bulbs in PFO reflectors and did you come accross this issue and just drill new holes for the endcaps?

 

[Scooterman]

So the PFO T5's are 24" & the new one are 22" ? Humm that is odd! The PFO is made for T5's? I think you could relocate the end caps but I'd check out what you got first, makes sure you have the right ballast for regular T5's?

 

[brandyrb]

No, the PFO Parellel Reflectors are 24" and the T5 bulbs are 22". The PFO Reflectors have holes already in them for the endcaps and we mounted the endcaps in those holes, but the T5 bulbs don't reach, so in order to make it work, we'll have to make new holes in the reflectors. I don't think there is a such thing as PFO T5s.

What I got confused about was the T5s being advertised as being 24", but they are really 22". We bought the reflectors, bulbs, endcaps and ballasts separately. All retrofit stuff. I just wondered if anyone else came accross this trying to mount T5s in PFO halide reflectors and if so, if they modified the reflectors to make the T5s fit. The ballasts we bought for the T5s are icecap 660s.

Brandy

 

[Scooterman]

The only PFO retrofits I found were for T8 VHO's & PC not T5's VHO. which would explain that, Unless It says for T5's which has a different standard for the length lamps. The only option I would see is do like you said & see what that ballast can handle lighting up.

 

[Jan]

I'll let you know how this issue turns out for me. I also bought 24" Geismann T-5's and a different vendor's ballast/reflector combo (CoralVue, I think...it is already set up). I hope the bulbs fit!

 

[Scooterman]

Apparently they make a 22" 22.9 & 24" T5 HO LOL I don't know what is up with that, to me something isn't consistent.

 

[polydactyl]

often times companies say 24", 36", 48", etc., etc. usually it is ment to be that length when you include the endcaps. if the bulbs are 24" they wont fit with endcaps in a standard 24" canopy/hood, with endcaps it brings it to about 26". soooo often times listed sizes are a little off to compensate for the length including the endcaps. 22" bulb with encaps=24"......usually.......personally i would just relocate the mounting holes in the reflector......giesmann bulbs are about the best.......

 

[plack]

"often times companies say 24", 36", 48", etc., etc. usually it is ment to be that length when you include the endcaps."

Just like 46.5" and 48" VHO Except they should state the correct length !! I would point this out to the seller by way of a question and reffering to vho's varying length's !!

Good luck, how is the reflector working? Most t-5 reflectors I saw were like bulb clip on's



Paul

 

[brandyrb]

I bought the T5s and PFO Parallel Halide reflectors on marinedepot.com Both state they are 24". The reflector is exactly 24" and the T5s are exactly 22". If the T5s were 24" with the endcaps, it would've worked but they aren't. I asked Kevin, owner of LFS, how he mounted his T5s to his PFO reflector and I guess he uses zip ties. My husband is just going to drill new holes in the reflectors, an inch closer to the middle on each side.

 

[brandyrb]

Just to clarify I bought this reflector
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~PF2635.html

And these, bulbs which will not fit in the pre-drilled holes of the above reflector. After re-reading the description of the reflector it does state that it is predrilled for VHO and PCs.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~GL2131.html

We'll make it work. I somewhat assumed they would work as is because Aquatic Dreams has T5s mounted in their reflectors, but I didn't know Kevin used zip ties...

It would be nice if marine depot disclaimed that the actual bulb size is 22" though. Maybe I'll send them an email.

 

[Scooterman]

Yea that is crazy, I remember the VHO's 5ft lamps were exactly 60" with the end caps ,I couldn't figure out how that would fit under my hood but the hood was built with a 1/2" on each end extra LOL! This should at least be labeled clearly.

 

[plack]

Look at this kind of reflector!!
This is what I've seen several people use !!!

Can you return that reflector?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...amp_T5_Retrofit_Reflector_For_T5~vendor~.html

comes with clips



Paul