lighting question - T8 - floro's

[joe6pack]

hello all,

I've been eyeing these electronic up to 4 bulb t-8 ballasts at the old depot for about $25 USD.

the label says what bulbs they power, but I can't seem to find them.

for example the label says it will power (4) 17 watt bulbs

but when I look in the bulb isle I see (18") 15 watt t8 bulbs

likewise it says it will power (4) 25 watt bulbs

but when I look in the bulb isle I see (24") 20 watt t8 bulbs

so what gives?

can I buy this thing and connect (4) of the (24") 20 watt t8 bulbs to it for a nice 80 watt 24" floro lamp?

any electricians out there?

-joe

[Roscoe]

Thats exactly what I use for my veg cab.
I got 2 Advance REL-4P32-SC electronic ballasts. You can use either:
4-F17T8 (24inch)
3or4-F25T8 (36inch)
3or4-F32T8 (48inch)
In my arrangement I use 8 24inch T8s in a 2.5x 2.5 cabinet with muffin fans.
You can also forget about the fixtures and build the box yourself so you can space the tubes closer together which will give you more light in a smaller area.

[marigyp]

Just out of curiosity, why would you choose T8's over T5's? I bought a 4 tube 24" T5 including the red spectrum and blue spectrum bulbs for $160.00. They really are the cats pajamas for seedlings, clones, and the first two weeks of veg. What is the significant difference you have found for the T8's?

[Deltanugz]

...

[Roscoe]

Yeah, DN is right, T8s and ballasts are just way more cheap and put out almost as many lumens. You can also find the tubes in daylight spectrum.

[joe6pack]

Just out of curiosity, why would you choose T8's over T5's? I bought a 4 tube 24" T5 including the red spectrum and blue spectrum bulbs for $160.00. They really are the cats pajamas for seedlings, clones, and the first two weeks of veg. What is the significant difference you have found for the T8's?

cheaper