T5 DIY planning.

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

What are you looking to do with this thing? If you are doing something like SPS or shallow softies I'd look at a different ballast like the Advance, the Workhorse is a little weak. I have a WH5 and it suits my LPS tank fine but compared to a Tek light (uses advance) it is noticeably dimmer. If you dig around RC you can find par tests that have been done and show how much difference there is.

It will be an SPS tank. It's only 16" deep... 14.25" for actual water depth, so I think the workhorse's running 8 bulbs should give me enough light penetration to give adequate par readings.

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by sphelps

You'll also obviously save more money skipping the WH3s and using another WH5.

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Only thing with this is I want to fire different sets of bulbs at different times of the day.. I could only fire 4 and 4 with 2xWH5, correct? I want to be able to fire 2, 2, 4 and then shut them down 4, 2, 2.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by JDigital

Only thing with this is I want to fire different sets of bulbs at different times of the day.. I could only fire 4 and 4 with 2xWH5, correct? I want to be able to fire 2, 2, 4 and then shut them down 4, 2, 2.

Yes that's correct I was just saying if you wanted to cut back on cost you could just fire 4 and 4. Keeps things a little more simple to.

[Rbacchiega]

*tagging along*

Let me know how this works out for you.....great idea rather than spending so much more on an 8 bulb unit...

[sphelps]

I thought I might mention there may be another alternative to the workhorse ballasts if you're having trouble locating one locally. EECOL Electric here in Saskatoon sells ballasts designed specifically for T5s, I'm sure the Calgary location also carries them. They run for around $50 for one that does 2 54W bulbs, I would assume the same ballast could do 4 24W bulbs.

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I thought I might mention there may be another alternative to the workhorse ballasts if you're having trouble locating one locally. EECOL Electric here in Saskatoon sells ballasts designed specifically for T5s, I'm sure the Calgary location also carries them. They run for around $50 for one that does 2 54W bulbs, I would assume the same ballast could do 4 24W bulbs.

I had a member post in my WTB thread, saying workhorse ballasts can't be sold in Canada right now because of some CSA certification problems or something???.. etc etc..

I found a WH5 in edm from another member.. so just need to track down a WH3 or similar and I should have all the ballasts I need.