New to being a reef keeper.

ReadBeard · 11/22/2016, 11:00 PM

Hey everyone I had a few questions.
First I want to start off by saying I have a 25 Gallon tank with a few corals and a mandarin. I currently have a t8 light going on it and just bought 8 different t5 bulbs but i do not have a ballast for these lights and im having trouble finding something thats not over 100$.
If any one could shine some light on this that would be great thank you.

-RedBeard-

mcgyvr · 11/23/2016, 06:18 AM

What size bulbs? (length/wattage)
Do you want dimmable ballasts?
Do you want rapid/instant start or programmable start?

Do you really want to build a light (ballasts/end caps/wiring/reflectors,etc..) or buy an off the shelf fixture?

taby15 · 11/23/2016, 09:40 AM

Have you gotten your mandarin to eat pellets?

JeffyT · 11/23/2016, 12:11 PM

I'd have to say, after all my research for t5 ballast, if you want the most basic ones for 8 bulbs, it will run you over 100 unless you are building it yourself.

anything with programs or options such as dimming, will be expensive.

over a 25 gallon tank, depending on what you are stocking, i think you can get away with 6 bulb fixtures and i would go with ATI. sometimes the brand name stuff in this hobby are better options. and sometimes the DYI stuff can suffice.

as for the mandarin, it has a bottomless pit of stomachs for copepods. constantly eating. even mature tanks sometime have a hard time keeping mandarins because they go through the pods too quickly. even if you plan on supplementing pods it might not be enough, and if you do it will get expensive.

i suggest you return or give or sell the mandarin until you have enough experience. It might not look hungry, but it is always hungry.

taby15 · 11/30/2016, 03:59 PM

I was surprised when I first read how difficult it was to train mandarins to eat other foods. It was expensive for me at first but luck was on my side.

11/22/2016, 11:00 PM	#1
ReadBeard Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 2	New to being a reef keeper. Hey everyone I had a few questions. First I want to start off by saying I have a 25 Gallon tank with a few corals and a mandarin. I currently have a t8 light going on it and just bought 8 different t5 bulbs but i do not have a ballast for these lights and im having trouble finding something thats not over 100$. If any one could shine some light on this that would be great thank you. -RedBeard-

11/23/2016, 06:18 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	What size bulbs? (length/wattage) Do you want dimmable ballasts? Do you want rapid/instant start or programmable start? Do you really want to build a light (ballasts/end caps/wiring/reflectors,etc..) or buy an off the shelf fixture? __________________ Who me?

11/23/2016, 12:11 PM	#4
JeffyT Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 263	I'd have to say, after all my research for t5 ballast, if you want the most basic ones for 8 bulbs, it will run you over 100 unless you are building it yourself. anything with programs or options such as dimming, will be expensive. over a 25 gallon tank, depending on what you are stocking, i think you can get away with 6 bulb fixtures and i would go with ATI. sometimes the brand name stuff in this hobby are better options. and sometimes the DYI stuff can suffice. as for the mandarin, it has a bottomless pit of stomachs for copepods. constantly eating. even mature tanks sometime have a hard time keeping mandarins because they go through the pods too quickly. even if you plan on supplementing pods it might not be enough, and if you do it will get expensive. i suggest you return or give or sell the mandarin until you have enough experience. It might not look hungry, but it is always hungry. __________________ 30g IM Nuvo - Retired 08/2012-04/2016 It was a very expensive lesson :P Current Project: 20gL JBJ AIO Frag Tank \| Shallow Reef Livestock : 3 Clown Fish, Rose BTA, Flame Shrimp Current Tank Info: 20gL JBJ Shallow Reef

11/23/2016, 09:40 AM	#3
taby15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 137	Have you gotten your mandarin to eat pellets?

11/30/2016, 03:59 PM	#5
taby15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 137	I was surprised when I first read how difficult it was to train mandarins to eat other foods. It was expensive for me at first but luck was on my side.