T-5 ballast

[dwdenny]

Jerry you are correct the T5's are no good at all without the reflectors. According to The Grim Reeferon RC the best is the IC it is also the smallest at 21/8" wide the next one is the aqualuxlighting.com special but they are like 3" wide then the TEK at 2.25" wide. It all depends on your systems width. I am going to be using the aqualux reflectors as I have to cover 18"wide and dont want to go with more then 4X39w. I will be picking up the ballast is Dallas in December when I am up there to watch Dallas play Kansas City. I will already be up there so I can save 5 bux on shipping at least.

[Bug_Power]

I have 6 54watt T5s and I am very suprised at how bright they are. I have them staggered in my 180 gal tank. Only problem is I need another atinic bulb. I just got the Jebo's they were cheap enough to start off with, then I can just upgrade the reflectors and ballast as I get money. I have some 400watt MH ballast and capacitors at the house I'm going to see if I can get rid of so I can get some Good Ballasts and reflectors for the setup and just go retro.

[Polkster13]

Your best bet on reflectors is Sunlight Supply TEK reflectors. They sit very close to the bulb using metal clips (so they don't slip like the plastic clips) and are narrorer so you can fit more of them under a hood.

I have both the CoralVue and Workhorse ballasts. The Workhorse is easier to wire in my opinion.

Frederick
Coral Reef Bazaar
512-680-6647

[dwdenny]

Polkster is right the TEKs are good ones and very small compared tot he aqualux at 3". There is not much difference in reflector when you hit 18" or deeper from what I have read. I have wire WH ballast before and they are way easy to wire and work with. That is the ballast I used on my FOWLR when I was using PC's.