Well heck

i found some $40 dollar 4 lamp t5ho ballast on line but then again i need to buy the endcaps and lamps, i guess a manifactured one may be cost effective in the long run i guess i have to do some math, I plan on building a hanging style canopy outta some reclaimed barn wood. So i may deside to go with the ballast and endcaps so i can offset the 4' t5 lamps. I really have no idea how many i need i heard somthing like 3-4 whatts per gallon depending on depth. I am very unfamiler with what it will take to keep these little glued on critters happy. If metal halide is required i may have to rethink the whole idea.