AndrewT Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 is it possible to run two 18" 18w t5s on a t8 ballast? i dot really need them for penetration just to add color to my tank. was wondering if i could just go to lowes and pick up a t8 ballast as i dont have 175 to buy a new t5 ballast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedelgado Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 good question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewT Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 hmm i did find an advance t5 ho ballast for 39 plus shipping... maybe ill go that route... just hate to pay shipping and deal with waiting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Check the ballasts manufacturers website. A lot of ballasts can actually drive plenty of other bulbs. I have several smaller electronic ballasts that I get from the electricians at work that will automatically set anywhere from 120v to 480v and run several different fluorescent bulb configurations. I've got an Advance intellivolt multi volt ballast that will run up to 1 42w quad PC. If you'd like it to play around with it's yours. It is brand new and retails around $45. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Breeze Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I tried to run 2 48" t5s or a t8 ballast from home depot. It didn't work very well and almost started on fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I tried to run 2 48" t5s or a t8 ballast from home depot. It didn't work very well and almost started on fire. bwahahaha! sorry man, but that is pretty **** funny. I have this "mad scientist" image of you now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I tried to run 2 48" t5s or a t8 ballast from home depot. It didn't work very well and almost started on fire. A lot of ballasts measure their ability in inches, wonder if you over did it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Breeze Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 maybe idk. But it defiantly started smoking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 A lot of ballasts measure their ability in inches, wonder if you over did it? a lot of people measure there ability in inches as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewT Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 Yeah these are two small 18" inch lights at only 18 watts a piece so i hope they wont give me any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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