Diy t5?

[needmorecowbell]

How could I go about making a t5 unit for my 33 gal reef tank. I have 156 watt odyssea 36" t5 right now and have heard some bad things about it and I think I want to make one. Would i need to make a canopy? What are the easiest ways of doing this?

 

[needmorecowbell]

Could I take the ballasts out of a fixture and wire them into a canopy? And should I have a heatsink? Sorry for all of the questions..

 

[Smitty]

For a DIY T5 you probably should get a canopy to mount everything to. I recommend you get individual reflectors and water resistant end caps if it is not going to be in an enclosure. If the ballast doesn't have a heat sink on it now then you shouldn't need one later. You may think about having a PC fan blowing over it if you are concerned.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I have an extra computer that I could take it out of. How do I go about buying t5 ballasts? Or should I take it out of my old odyssea and how?