Running less bulbs in a T5 fixture

HiImSean

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I picked up a 24” 8 bulb Sunpower for super cheap ($100) and planed on running it on a 40 breeder. I know it’s overkill so would it cause any problems running just 6 of the 8 bulbs? I have no problems opening it up to rewire if necessary or eventually adding some leds to it.
 

BZOFIQ

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You can just pull some bulbs out. They are usually wired in 2s. You need to figure out which ones are wired together by untwisting one at a time.
 

nereefpat

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Totally fine.

By the way, isn't there a switch for 2 bulbs on the sunpower?
 

Midrats

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I'd run all 8, just hang it higher, and as mentioned above, one cord runs two bulbs, the other six. You could run blue+ and actinics on the six bulb channel, and a couple of Coral+ or 65K bulbs on the two bulb channel. Oh, and if you don't know already, make sure the ATI label on the bulb is on the cord side of the fixture. There's a hole there that keeps the bulb cool.
 

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