Ballast Recommendations 2 - 54 W T5's

redfishbluefish · Mar 21, 2015

I wish to replace my IceCap 430 ballast with a ballast that doesn't overdrive the bulbs. This was great when I was lighting my entire tank with multiple T5's, but my interest now is to simply supplement LEDs with two T5's at normal wattage. What would be a good ballast for these two 54 watt bulbs?

Thanks, Paul

LILBUDDHA · Mar 21, 2015

ATI ballasts .

ATI Non Dimmable 54w x 2 Bulb T5 Ballast | Premium Aquatics

redfishbluefish · Mar 22, 2015

Thanks for the recommendation......However I'm an Amazon Prime member and I'd prefer getting it there.....free shipping....here in two days This ATI isn't even offered. I did find THIS......a Fulham Workhorse 5. Is this a good choice for two 54W T5's.

Kyuss414 · Mar 22, 2015

According to Fullhams specs, that ballast has a ballast factor of 1.07 for 2xF54T5HO, so is overdriving the bulbs 7%, and also is an instant start ballast.

Phillips makes Advance Centium ICN-2S54 that's 1.00 ballast factor (according to the spec sheet from their website, not sure why the amazon listing shows different) and is a programmed rapid start which helps with bulb life as well. I hate to sound like a broken record always recommending them, but they're one of the seemingly few proper T5 ballasts out there (as far as operating at the T5 spec) and Phillips is a pretty big name in lighting and includes a 5-year warranty on em so it's hard not to.