T5 ballast wattage

[Jez]

hi, i'm currently setting up a 50l nano tank, it's 30cm deep and is lit with 3x14w T5's. I'm not sure if they're 50/50 or just plain daylight, i'd like to put an actinic in and also higher wattage bulbs but i don't know the wattage of the ballast, does this matter? I assume it does but want to make sure. thanks (would ask the manufacturer but they're chinese and can't contact them )

 

[reefman23]

If you want higher wattage bulbs, you'll need a bigger ballast. The lamps that you have are not high output. I'm assuning your lamp is around 24".... if you get a high output, or HO, ballast, you can run HO bulbs. This will allow you to get 24 watts out of the same length HO bulbs.

If you want to upgrade ballasts, look for two things:

1. Program start... NOT instant start.
2. "End of Life" bulb protection.

Triad is one brand of T5 HO ballasts. Ice Cap makes one, but it will overdrive the lamps. Workhorse ballasts are NOT T5 HO ballasts.

I hope that helps and sorry for missing this thread.

Jesse