Re: [APD] Ballast electronic or magnetic?

[Vaughn Hopkins <hoppycalif at yahoo_com>]

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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