So I came into a bunch of free T5 ballasts...

[Hugh Mann]

My workplace did some renos and upgraded from t5 ballasts to led panels. I was able to snag 7 as they were just gonna be thrown in the trash.

Each one holds 4 48" bulbs, reflectors, diffusers, even wire grills to protect from impacts. Direct wire to house power.

I am wondering is there a good use for these in the aquarium world? If so, what's a good selection of bulbs to choose from?

 

[tsouth]

Can you show a picture or share information of the ballasts? What their wattages are for example. A distinction between regular vs high output will need to be made.

Aside from that, individual reflectors for each bulb would also need to be incorporated. I assume the left picture is the reflector? The flat panel will not help the bulbs penetrate enough from my research.

Assuming that the ballast are high output, and you are able to retrofit great reflectors inside the housings, they I think they'd be up for good use.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Yeah, those are the reflectors. Pulled out of a high school gymnasium.

Couldn't get a non blurry Pic, but the sticker on the actual ballast says
Line Voltage 120v or 277v and takes 44w t5HO bulbs.

 

[tsouth]

Interesting. Yeah I can't say much more aside from the fact that most reef appropriate bulbs run in 39w @ 36" or 54w @ 48 inches. 44 is an odd inbetween. I am not an electrician so I can't say whether or not you can underdrive bulbs and what effects that would have. At the very least, you can re-use the housing, but the internals don't seem to be ideal?

 

[oreo54]

Under-driving a 54W bulb shouldn't be much of an issue besides loss of output.
No idea on the effects on spectrum.
I suppose there is the possibility of not "lighting" a tube due to the lower wattage but ????
If that, I have a feeling it will be specific tubes..

Over-driving is another story but it's been and is done.

Was curious about the low wattage on the ballast.
Found this from Phillips.

YMMV

 

[Hugh Mann]

I'll have to double check, but I think it even specified those Philips. I may have pull a ballast out to get a better look, the way they're positioned makes it hard to read the stickers.

 

[jda]

The reflectors are just OK - better than none, but not as good as individual. Those ballasts will under drive the bulbs - less output and a bit of a color shift to the bluer side. Those might be better to light for fish room than a reef tank. They would be totally fine for a FOWLR, refugium or low bow type of deal that is easy to light.