Tank light ballast selection

sikpupy · 08/21/2008, 03:12 PM

Okay, i am a cheap b*****d but not to the point where it makes no sence. I have an idea for a light timing system and will need at least 5 ballasts. If I get the icecap ballasts, i might as well be looking for a new place to live cause I will not be able to pay rent. What I need to find is some cheap ballasts that will run a T5HO bulb. Can I use any ballast I find with the correct wattage or is there something specific I NEED to use? I have heard of bulbs not giving all they could but is this because there is not enough wattage comming out of the ballast, or............????

School me

crvz · 08/21/2008, 07:04 PM

what other ballasts are you looking at? have you looked at the workhorse line? I'm sure someone knows a lot more about them than I do (I've always run icecaps), but I've heard good things about them.

sikpupy · 08/21/2008, 07:48 PM

Uhm, been looking at 12.99 home depot shop light ballasts

Phyxius · 08/21/2008, 07:50 PM

I say check out the Workhorse ballasts also. When I had some on my 65g tank I used a WH and it was pretty cheap..

sikpupy · 08/22/2008, 01:00 PM

WH = Workhorse ???

Phyxius · 08/22/2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sikpupy
WH = Workhorse ???

yup

There are a bunch of models of these so if you go that route make sure you get the right ones...

crvz · 08/22/2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sikpupy
Uhm, been looking at 12.99 home depot shop light ballasts

without knowing a lot about those ballasts, it's hard to say if they're a good idea. look at something a little more geared for the hobby.

chrismunn · 08/22/2008, 04:53 PM

ide try your question in one of the other forums. ive also wondered about using the rediculously cheap home depot ballasts for VHO's. most of the flourecent ballasts ive seen at home depot say "T8" on them. i dont know what that means exactly, but i wonder if its related to "T5", but with an 8???

sikpupy · 08/23/2008, 03:43 PM

I think there is something to them I have seen them specify T5HO etc. What I dont understand is what the difference is?? AC is AC (here in the US) and as long as the ballast wattage meets the bulb wattage, I would think thats all there is to it. Then again, thats is why i am askig about this.

sphinx105 · 08/23/2008, 06:17 PM

Sikpupy, I sent you a PM, I may have some leftover T5 HO ballasts to help you out here. They are Universal B454PUNV-E and will run 4 T5 HO's in several configurations.

sikpupy · 08/23/2008, 10:13 PM

Will check, thanks

Gawain1974 · 08/23/2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrismunn
ide try your question in one of the other forums. ive also wondered about using the rediculously cheap home depot ballasts for VHO's. most of the flourecent ballasts ive seen at home depot say "T8" on them. i dont know what that means exactly, but i wonder if its related to "T5", but with an 8???

The "T" rating on a bulb has to do with the bulb's diameter in increments of 1/8 of an inch. So a T5 bulb is 5/8 an inch, and a T8 is one inch.

I know people who have bought ballasts from hydroponics shop and use them for their reef tanks (magnetic ballasts for halide setups).

08/21/2008, 03:12 PM	#1
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Tank light ballast selection Okay, i am a cheap b*****d but not to the point where it makes no sence. I have an idea for a light timing system and will need at least 5 ballasts. If I get the icecap ballasts, i might as well be looking for a new place to live cause I will not be able to pay rent. What I need to find is some cheap ballasts that will run a T5HO bulb. Can I use any ballast I find with the correct wattage or is there something specific I NEED to use? I have heard of bulbs not giving all they could but is this because there is not enough wattage comming out of the ballast, or............???? School me

08/21/2008, 07:04 PM	#2
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	what other ballasts are you looking at? have you looked at the workhorse line? I'm sure someone knows a lot more about them than I do (I've always run icecaps), but I've heard good things about them. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/21/2008, 07:50 PM	#4
Phyxius Moving About Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: RTP NC Posts: 2,405	I say check out the Workhorse ballasts also. When I had some on my 65g tank I used a WH and it was pretty cheap.. __________________ -Mike I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it. W. C. Fields Current Tank Info: JUST SOLD AND TOOK DOWN ALL 11/10---210g AGA, 80g sump, Tunze Streams. Tunze ATO,RK Elite Controller, RKII,Dart, GEO Calcium& Nielsen Kalk Reactors,GEO media reactor, Kaleini Rock, 3-250 watt 14k EVC , VHO..... 34g Solana and 60g cube

08/22/2008, 04:53 PM	#8
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	ide try your question in one of the other forums. ive also wondered about using the rediculously cheap home depot ballasts for VHO's. most of the flourecent ballasts ive seen at home depot say "T8" on them. i dont know what that means exactly, but i wonder if its related to "T5", but with an 8??? __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

08/21/2008, 07:48 PM	#3
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Uhm, been looking at 12.99 home depot shop light ballasts

08/22/2008, 01:00 PM	#5
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	WH = Workhorse ???

08/23/2008, 03:43 PM	#9
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	I think there is something to them I have seen them specify T5HO etc. What I dont understand is what the difference is?? AC is AC (here in the US) and as long as the ballast wattage meets the bulb wattage, I would think thats all there is to it. Then again, thats is why i am askig about this.

08/23/2008, 06:17 PM	#10
sphinx105 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 64	Sikpupy, I sent you a PM, I may have some leftover T5 HO ballasts to help you out here. They are Universal B454PUNV-E and will run 4 T5 HO's in several configurations.

08/23/2008, 10:13 PM	#11
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Will check, thanks