I bought 2 Twin light T5 fixtures at HomeDepot that came with 24 watt bulbs. I have replaced them with 54 watt HO bulbs. It seems like the 24 watt bulbs were brighter. Do I need to change the ballast to keep up with the new 54 HO watt bulbs?
T5 Upgrade
- Thread starter JimL
- Start date
Fixtures were about $23 each I also got a length of tin rain gutter the fixtures just fit. I cut it about 2 inches short (fortunatly I still have enough to cut right) can't put the end caps on. I plan to paint the inside Crome and the outside Hammered Black, looks nice as is should look great when I get it done right.
make sure the home depot strip has a good reflector as it's not made for aquariums, otherwise you are just wasting watts...
my fixture has white plastic behind the bulb. so im guessing thats not a good reflector. could i just spray glue some foil to it to help?
So far the only 54 watt HO Ballaast I've found (Eco-10 10% 120V T5-HO 54W Ballast - ECO-T554-120-2) http://www.dimmerwarehouse.com/Product_Dimmers.aspx?ID=461
At 84$ x2 plus shipping $190.65
T5 Floursent strip 23 X 2 46.00 (Home depot)
Spectralux 48 Inch 54 Watt HO Bulb 6500K: $10.95 Each + ship $76.40
Rain gutter $10 (aprox)
Paint $10 (aprox)
Aprox total is $333.05
This DIY has gone over what it would coust to buy pre made
48" x 8" Saltwater; 216 watt, CD-36005 $211.99
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770
Fortunatly the only thing I can think of I cannot use will be the rain gutter. I'm getting out of this DIY before I start throwing good money after bad
At 84$ x2 plus shipping $190.65
T5 Floursent strip 23 X 2 46.00 (Home depot)
Spectralux 48 Inch 54 Watt HO Bulb 6500K: $10.95 Each + ship $76.40
Rain gutter $10 (aprox)
Paint $10 (aprox)
Aprox total is $333.05
This DIY has gone over what it would coust to buy pre made
48" x 8" Saltwater; 216 watt, CD-36005 $211.99
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16770
Fortunatly the only thing I can think of I cannot use will be the rain gutter. I'm getting out of this DIY before I start throwing good money after bad
Gloss white paint would make a much better reflector than that foil, and much easier to apply.
But I would recommend Catalina or Fishneedit fixtures personally. They have actual reflectors, plus the fixture was designed for use over an aquarium. I dont know how much savings you'll see after having to purchase the lamps after building, since those 2 companies listed, include the lamps too.