Lights without starters?

[fishlips]

I'm starting to build a hood with NO flouresents. I bought light fixture called strip light at HD. It came with one magnetic ballast which will power twin tubes. Why does it not have any starters? Are they not needed with the new ballasts?



Anyway, the fixture is for 20" tubes. I'll take out the guts and fasten it to my cutom hood. The ballast will run the 18" T8's just the same. I paid 22 bucks for the fixture minus tubes. Does this sound like a good price?

I intended to buy a ballast with tube sockets seperate but could not find starters sockets. So my main question is this, Do I need starters with a magnectic ballast?

If not I can pick up the parts for about 15 bucks, buy some wood and tubes. I can do the whole job for around 35 bucks. This is for a 10g tank.

[cpr4cpu]

rapid start ballasts do not use starters.
Frankly, I wouldn't use a system with a starter myself, just more wires and stuff to keep dry.

Do yourself a favor and keep the ballast away from the water and well ventillated. The cheapies at HD tend to run really hot and they will overload and shut off until they can cool down. If too close to the glass/water they will create 'hot spots'.

[fishlips]

The ballast I bought at HD is not rapid start. I was wondering why it would not light the bulbs and went to get starters and sockets but no one carries the sockets. I guess I'll ditch the ballast and see if they have the rapid start available.

I know they carry a 20" strip light that uses the rapid start ballast. Thanks for the info cpr4cpu. Whats the brand name of the cheapy ones? Is it not recommened to mount them to wood? The one I'm bringing back is a ge universal. Thanks again, Rick.

[fishlips]

The ballast I bought at HD is not rapid start. I was wondering why it would not light the bulbs. I went to get starters and sockets but no one carries the sockets. I guess I'll ditch the ballast and see if they have the rapid start available.

I know they carry a 20" strip light that uses the rapid start ballast. Thanks for the tip cpr4cpu. Whats the brand name of the cheapy ones? Is it not recommened to mount them to wood? The one I'm bringing back is a ge universal. Thanks again, Rick.

[fishlips]

The problem was I needed to ground the ballast to a metal reflector. I tried it using scrap metal from the basement and I'm pround to say instant light. So my dual 15w light system is working. Now I just need to make the wood work for the hood.

So far its about 30 bucks minus the wood for the hood. Would you consider that a fair price? Anyone?