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Re: [APD] Ballast electronic or magnetic?
I wouldn't even consider using magnetic ballasts because I would want
a timer to turn on and shut off the lights. Timers just don't work
well with magnetic ballasts - too much inductive reactance I think.
And, my experience with magnetic ballasts also including them
deciding not to work at all occasionally. In a garage it might get
cold? Some magnetic ballast lights won't always come on if they are
colder than 60F or so. So, I would opt for the T8 fixtures, which I
found usually have electronic or at least semi-electronic ballasts.
I assume you will make a box to put these in and just hang it over
the tank?
Vaughn H.
On Nov 27, 2006, at 3:49 PM, Billionzz at aol_com wrote:
> I have some extra glass and I'm going to build a tank that is going
> to set
> in my garage to grow plants out in.
>
> The tank will 48" x 14" x 14" - approximately 40 gallons. It
> doesn't need to
> look good, just a place to grow out some different plants.
>
> I was planning on putting some shop lights from home depot over
> this tank,
> two strips with 2 - 40 watt bulbs each, making a total of 160 watts.
>
> But now I have a couple of questions that I was hoping that I could
> get some
> help with.
>
> 1. Should I get electronic or magnetic ballast? The magnetic is
> cheaper.
>
> 2. Should I get the strip with T12's (40 watt bulbs) for 160 watts
> total or
> the T8's (32 watt bulbs) for 128 watts total?
>
> 3. Would anyone suggest different lighting for this tank? It isn't
> for looks
> at all only to grow out plants.
>
> Thanks,
> Bill
>
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