28w bulbs in a Tek T5 4x54w fixture?

bikinibottom · 12-01-2012, 08:04 PM

Hi, All. I just started up a low tech tank thinking I could use a 48" 4x54w Tek T5 fixture I had from a previous set-up. I thought I could run just 1 bulb in this fixture but it turns out I need to run 2 (there is one switch for the "outside" lights and one switch for the "inside" lights.

I noticed today that there are 28w 48" bulbs at the LFS. Could I run 2 of these 28w bulbs in this fixture? I'm not exactly the electrician type so I don't know if this would present a problem or not.

dbosman@msu.edu · 12-01-2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikinibottom

Hi, All. I just started up a low tech tank thinking I could use a 48" 4x54w Tek T5 fixture ...
I noticed today that there are 28w 48" bulbs at the LFS. Could I run 2 of these 28w bulbs in this fixture? I'm not exactly the electrician type so I don't know if this would present a problem or not.

Most T5HO fixtures use electronic ballasts. Most of those will step down and run T5NO lamps just fine. Possibly a bit over driven, but no where near full T5HO output.
Good quality electronic ballasts effectively read the lamps electrical characteristics and adjust.

bikinibottom · 12-02-2012, 01:43 PM

thanks dbosman... someone told me that the bulb would "blow up" if I try this. Is that a possibility?

talontsiawd · 12-02-2012, 07:10 PM

It depends on the ballast. It's either going to overdrive the lower wattage bulb (run 54 watts through the 28 watt bulb) or step the wattage down a bit or both. I doubt the 28 watt bulb will be as bright, even if it's over driven.

The worst thing that will likely happen is the bulb may burn out quickly. It's not going to physically blow up or anything. It may just not last at all. Could be almost instantanious, could be a few days. If it does last, it likely won't last as long as it would in the correct fixture.

A better way to go would be to just put widow screen mesh above the splash guard. This will reduce the amount of light that reaches the tank. It seems wasteful with energy but you really won't know how much wattage is going through the bulbs anyway. It's more controllable as well since you can layer it up.

bikinibottom · 12-02-2012, 08:09 PM

hmmmm...... window screen is not a bad idea. I might try that. Or I might just buy a new fixture. LOL.

talontsiawd · 12-02-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikinibottom

Or I might just buy a new fixture. LOL.

The best route but it sucks to get rid of a high end light that only pays for a decent replacement. I am in the same boat on my new tank, super overkill fixture that I just want to "tone down" a bit. At least I have a second lower light fixture that will tide me over in the short term (I hope).

bikinibottom · 12-04-2012, 11:58 AM

So if anyone else is looking for an answer to this question, I contacted people at Marine Dept and Premium Aquatics (where I bought the fixture), and they both said that yes, it can be done, but that the bulbs would burn out very very fast.

12-01-2012, 08:04 PM	#1
bikinibottom Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Washington DC Posts: 115	28w bulbs in a Tek T5 4x54w fixture? Hi, All. I just started up a low tech tank thinking I could use a 48" 4x54w Tek T5 fixture I had from a previous set-up. I thought I could run just 1 bulb in this fixture but it turns out I need to run 2 (there is one switch for the "outside" lights and one switch for the "inside" lights. I noticed today that there are 28w 48" bulbs at the LFS. Could I run 2 of these 28w bulbs in this fixture? I'm not exactly the electrician type so I don't know if this would present a problem or not. Last edited by bikinibottom; 12-01-2012 at 08:06 PM.. Reason: Edited to add (?) icon

12-02-2012, 07:10 PM	#4
talontsiawd Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 2,477	It depends on the ballast. It's either going to overdrive the lower wattage bulb (run 54 watts through the 28 watt bulb) or step the wattage down a bit or both. I doubt the 28 watt bulb will be as bright, even if it's over driven. The worst thing that will likely happen is the bulb may burn out quickly. It's not going to physically blow up or anything. It may just not last at all. Could be almost instantanious, could be a few days. If it does last, it likely won't last as long as it would in the correct fixture. A better way to go would be to just put widow screen mesh above the splash guard. This will reduce the amount of light that reaches the tank. It seems wasteful with energy but you really won't know how much wattage is going through the bulbs anyway. It's more controllable as well since you can layer it up. __________________ -Matt Eheim Pimp Club # 382 The Fraternity of Dirt #53 13 Stones (Part 2) 6 Gallon Betta Tank

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12-02-2012, 01:43 PM	#3
bikinibottom Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Washington DC Posts: 115	thanks dbosman... someone told me that the bulb would "blow up" if I try this. Is that a possibility?

12-02-2012, 08:09 PM	#5
bikinibottom Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Washington DC Posts: 115	hmmmm...... window screen is not a bad idea. I might try that. Or I might just buy a new fixture. LOL.

12-04-2012, 11:58 AM	#7
bikinibottom Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Washington DC Posts: 115	So if anyone else is looking for an answer to this question, I contacted people at Marine Dept and Premium Aquatics (where I bought the fixture), and they both said that yes, it can be done, but that the bulbs would burn out very very fast.