Lighting And Ballasts

[JenCliBee]

Hi all, i presume this is the correct part of the forum for my question lol.


I have a 5 foot I-bar which takes 2x 4 foot T5 bulbs, 4 foot T5 bulbs are 54 watt HO but you can also get low output 28 watt bulbs.

Right my question is i have reflectors for the lights which supposedly double the bulbs output, even if it's 50% then that's fine by me but if i added the 28 watt bulbs instead of the 54 watt bulbs and used the reflectors to then make it equivalent to the the 54 watt bulbs..... would it have any adverse effects on the light units ballast?.

I know that adding bulbs which are above the max for the light unit would basically burn the ballasts out but what would the effect be in adding a lower wattage bulb to watt the ballast can handle?.

I think i already know the answer but would be nice to just get it confirmed.


I have no real use for having higher lights within the tank so using the reflectors on the 28w bulbs would be just like adding 54 watt bulbs without the reflectors but save on running costs at the same time. (yes im tight lol).

Any help would be a appreciative

thanks

Jake

 

[ENR]

The ballasts will run cooler and not use as much energy!
The ballasts are rated "up to" a certain wattage, so gearing them down a bit will have no adverse effects at all, other than saving you some dosh and running cooler!
I have reflectors on my lights but havent tried them without, might see if i can nick a lux meter from work and see if they actually make a diffference!!

 

[JenCliBee]

The ballasts will run cooler and not use as much energy!
The ballasts are rated "up to" a certain wattage, so gearing them down a bit will have no adverse effects at all, other than saving you some dosh and running cooler!
I have reflectors on my lights but havent tried them without, might see if i can nick a lux meter from work and see if they actually make a diffference!!

Cheers mate, pretty much what i thought.

Out of interest, whats your knowledge/expertise in the electrics part?, curious to know if your info has come from an electrical background or just good informed info .

Thanks again for the response anyways