Stupid question?

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by bthomson, Jul 6, 2009.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. bthomson

    bthomson Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Norton, KS
    I currently have a 48" 260w PC by Odyssea which runs 2x 12,000k daylight bulbs and 2x actinics. 2 ballasts run 2 65w bulbs, so im guessing they are a little under 130w a piece. My question is would those ballast run t5's? I would like to use the housing and ballasts and just buy the bulbs and socket adapters and any other mounting hardware i might need.

    Thanks for entertaining my stupid ideas;)
     
    bthomson, Jul 6, 2009
    bthomson, Jul 6, 2009
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    Messages:
    2,835
    Location:
    SE Kansas
    No idea actually, but a good idea.......
     
    jonjonwells, Jul 6, 2009
    jonjonwells, Jul 6, 2009
    #2
  3. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2008
    Messages:
    5,716
    Location:
    Reno, NV
    No, PC ballasts will not work for T5's. They are a completely different type of bulb with a completely different starting and burn requirements.
     
    PackLeader, Jul 6, 2009
    PackLeader, Jul 6, 2009
    #3
  4. bthomson

    bthomson Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Norton, KS
    darn it
     
    bthomson, Jul 6, 2009
    bthomson, Jul 6, 2009
    #4
  5. Geoff

    Geoff Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2009
    Messages:
    808
    Location:
    Jasper,Al
    I think t5 bulbs are about 45 1/4" (54w in 48" fixture) so all the modifying you would have to do you still probably wouldn't get but 2 bulbs in it (?) and after the $, time and aggravation it would be alot easier to buy the whole t5 set-up and sell your pc set-up.JMO
     
    Geoff, Jul 6, 2009
    Geoff, Jul 6, 2009
    #5
  6. bthomson

    bthomson Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Norton, KS
    lol thats what i was wondering. if i had just spent the few extra bucks i could have at least 2 t5's.

    but nooooo, i was to cheap at the moment haha. anybody want some cheap Odyssea PC's?
     
    bthomson, Jul 6, 2009
    bthomson, Jul 6, 2009
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. carpenter

    carpenter Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2009
    Messages:
    246
    Location:
    Tyler, Tx
    Hey man, we all have to start some where, your PC's work for what you have right now. Its a good starting place, and your that much wiser for having made that desicion. I've got PC's, and I sure would like a pimped out custom MH fixture, but my daughter needs ballet shoes, the truck needs breaks... so I'll keep upgrading... and you will too! ;D
     
    carpenter, Jul 6, 2009
    carpenter, Jul 6, 2009
    #7
  8. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    Messages:
    4,622
    Location:
    Shelton, Washington
    That is correct. I took apart my Odyssea PC entertaining the same idea and scrapped it. Two bulbs and reflectors is all you'd be able to fit. I would only do it if I had extra parts lying around and nothing else to do. But if you have to buy the bulbs, ballasts etc. then no......
     
    PharmrJohn, Jul 6, 2009
    PharmrJohn, Jul 6, 2009
    #8
  9. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    2,108
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    I can tell you from experience that like Pack stated it will not work, as PC ballasts that are strictly PC have different capacitors. I thought I would be able to do something with all my old PC fixtures but no dice... Some of the old All Glass fixtures use WH ballasts which WILL fire PC and T5 but if it isn't stated on the ballast it will most likely only fire one lamp and it will be dim at that.

    Sometimes settling works for the mean time, sometimes its best to save!
     
    Dr.Fragenstein, Jul 7, 2009
    Dr.Fragenstein, Jul 7, 2009
    #9