How important is t5 ballast with actinics?

Subject pretty much says it all. Since actinics have no photosynthetic value, is the ballast really that important?

 

It needs to work well enough not to damage the bulb.

 

Some actinic bulbs have more than half the PAR of daylight bulbs. That could be quite a bit of your PAR lost if you just eliminate them completely (if you have 3 actinics and 3 daylight, possibly up to 30% of your PAR is from the actinic bulbs depending on brands), and a lower quality ballast may cost quite a bit of that portion of your PAR. I also wouldn't treat it lightly for the reason of potential damage.

 

Thanks guys. I maybe should have mentioned that these will be supplementation go 2 250w mh. Bought a cheaper fixture and replacing the stock mh ballast with ice caps. Just trying to figure if I should do the t5 ballast also

 

Nah, in this case, I would hold on to the T5 ballast. You just don't want to have the cheapest possible T5 ballst; something decent is perfectly suitable.

 

cool.. thanks for the advice..