[flora]

Do you need a special fixture for T5 HO bulbs or will just a regular shop light fixture work?

 

[maknwar]

The ballast needs to be rated to run t5 bulbs.

 

[2in10]

The ballast needs to be rated to run t5 bulbs.

To get the benefits of the T5HO bulb the ballasts needs to be rated to run T5HO bulbs. A T5 ballasts will run the bulb but at a greatly reduced power and will shift the spectrum down.

 

[2in10]

Do you need a special fixture for T5 HO bulbs or will just a regular shop light fixture work?

As long as the ballast is reted for use with T5HO bulbs then the shop light will work but you will lose the advantage of the highly polished reflector that comes with T5HO fixtures.