T5 in T5HO ballast?

Discussion in 'T5 Aquarium Lighting' started by sssnake, Oct 5, 2008.

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  1. sssnake

    sssnake Montipora Digitata

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    Can I put a T5 in a T5HO ballast?
     
    sssnake, Oct 5, 2008
    sssnake, Oct 5, 2008
    #1

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  2. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Isn't that what you are supposed to do? I don't see why not. I believe that when you are talking about T5 bulbs, I don't think the ballast matters. The ballast determines the wattage you can get out of the bulb. For example, I run 4 T5 bulbs at 54w each. If I upgrade the ballast I can potentially get 85 watts out of the same bulb
     
    GuitarMan89, Oct 5, 2008
    GuitarMan89, Oct 5, 2008
    #2
  3. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    "HO" just means high output, meaning that the ballast is rated for higher wattage then a standard one.
     
    GuitarMan89, Oct 5, 2008
    GuitarMan89, Oct 5, 2008
    #3
  4. silverwolf72

    silverwolf72 Skunk Shrimp

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    You can only overdrive bulbs with certain ballasts like the Icecap from what I've seen. I don't think it would be good to use a HO ballast on NO bulbs, the ballasts are chap I would get one made for the bulb
     
    silverwolf72, Oct 5, 2008
    silverwolf72, Oct 5, 2008
    #4
  5. gazog

    gazog Kole Tang

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    Actually there are two different types of T5 as I understand it. Regular output which a 48" bulb is 28 watts and T5 HO which the 48" bulbs are 54 Watts. Regular T5's I assume will burn out if immediately or shortly after being turned on if used with a HO ballast.
     
    gazog, Oct 5, 2008
    gazog, Oct 5, 2008
    #5