Retrofitting Light Fixture - quest for cheap hardware

[Milan]

I'am thinking of retrofitting my existing light fixture on a 29gal (24"/18W)tank with a compact fluorescent bulb which I already have (Coralife 21"/55W). Now comes the tricky part. I need a straight pin socket and a ballast. To be gentle on my budget I was thinking of getting this stuff from a hardware store, but need some directions.
- What should I be looking in specs for the ballast to match the bulb?
- Any ideas where to find the socket? [/list]

 

[melonie]

Most lighting retailers and industrial electrical suppliers will carry Advance ballasts - just match the wattage to your lamp. However, because compact flourescents really aren't that popular yet for 'mainstream' uses, you may not find the ballasts or socket clips in stock and the price might not be all that sweet.

There's also a potential issue of heat generation putting 55w lamps and ballast in a fixture designed for 18w lamps.

You may also want to make a serious cost comparison between buying the ballast and clips and a cooling fan and retrofitting your existing hood, versus just buying a new JEBO/Odyssea hood with a good ol' Chinese made dirt cheap ballast and clips and fans (which you can't buy separately). They're pretty cheap on EBay ... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4386023004&category=46314

 

[BillD]

http://ahsupply.com/index.html is a possible source for what you are lokking for. Their prices seem pretty good from what I can tell.

 

[greenmaji]

the Fulham Workhorse 5 ballast would do the trick.. it would do two 55watt CF's actually but it would give you room to expand in the future...
http://www.prolighting.com/wo5elba12loc.html
They are selling them for 24.99 + S/H its the best price Ive been able to find for them..
HTH

 

[Hoovercat]

The ahsupply single 55 watt kit ships with a workhoorse 3 ballast. The workhorse 5 will power 2x55 watt pc bulbs.