Any light geeks ?

[rudirudi]

Hi
I am considering changing from metal halides to T5's,my tank is 6ft so I would heed 80w's.I'm not sure you can get twin 80 watt starters,I have looked on a site that supplies ballasts for T5's,but having no knowledge of electrics I have no idea what gear I would need to make a starter.It would seem buying the components and putting them together would be cheaper than buying a ready made unit,anyone out there who could tell me if it would be practible , and what parts I would need,I would be very grateful.

Cheers

Rudi

 

[hinch]

why on earth do you need 80w's ? unless youre running marine or have some particular requirements oO
my 7 footer uses only a total of 30 watts

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
Rudi you just need the wired IP67 end caps and the electronic ballast, there aren't any other components.

You can buy ballasts ready wired up, have a search on Ebay for "T5 LIGHTING KIT MARINE TROPICAL 2 x 54w HOT5 CORAL FISH", these are 5'. You could buy the 80W "T5 LIGHTING KIT MARINE TROPICAL 2 x 80w HOT5 CORAL FISH", but they would be very bright.

cheers Darrel

 

[Skatersav]

I've got a T5 ballast that I'm not using and would sell/trade. It was used to drive two 54watt T5s which would probably just about do the job. PM me if you want to buy it or trade for it.

Personally, I don't think 80w is excessive, especially if you are dosing ferts and pressurised CO2.

 

[rudirudi]

Thanks for the replies,I have a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft tank,I inject co2 and add flourish and some ferts (not EI),would 2 x 54w be sufficient for my tank,if so I could well be interested in your starter Skatersav.

Rudi