T5HO bulb in standard T5 fixture...

[cjldad]

When I got my used setup, the light fixture that came with it had a 10k 28watt and a 54watt actinic.. The fixture is a Coralife T5 setup.. Just wondering if there is any adverse issues with running it how it is.. Am I getting poor light output because of this setup?
Thanks!!

 

[gheitman]

You need to have T5NO (normal output) bulbs in that fixture. The ballast isn't equipped to handle T5HO bulbs and you can't change the ballast.

 

[melosu58]

You need to have T5NO (normal output) bulbs in that fixture. The ballast isn't equipped to handle T5HO bulbs and you can't change the ballast.

I agree.

 

[cjldad]

So, will the HO bulb burn out the ballast? I know that a NO bulb should have been in there from the beginning, but that was not my decision..
I figured the ballast was current limited and would just be putting out poor light on the actinic bulb.. Thanks, guess I'm looking for a replacement bulb..

Thoughts, on the replacement... I ordered a CurrentUSA T5HO fixture (108w) to go along side the fixture I currently have.. Will be using them like natural lighting, ie. NO comes on for a few hours, then the HO fixture with the NO fixture, then just the NO again in the evening.. You get the picture.. The tank is a 75g freshwater setup, no plants right now.. May venture in to that in the future.. What replacement bulb should I get?
New HO has 10k and actinic and the NO has 10k and ?????????

Thanks!!

 

[jsoong]

Most NO ballasts won't light a HO bulb, so don't waste money on a HO bulb.

You doing a FW planted tank?? Actinics are pretty much useless for plants. For FW, you would want to get ~6500K instead of the Actinics. You can keep the 10000K, although some people find that the color is a bit harsh, but mixing with 6500K should balance things out nicely.

 

[cjldad]

I like the actinics for the nice color they add to the tank.. I know they are for coral but I think it helps the fish pop a little.. Doesn't make the tank look just bright white.. Maybe the 6500k will help with that too.. Looks like I'm going to be experimenting a little bit..