NO T5 ballast for a HO T5 ballast

[MCloudy21]

I have a coralife NO 2 bulb fixture 48inch, can I use the HO bulbs? if not can I swap the ballast to a HO ballast?

reason for question is I like the profile of the fixture and replacement bulbs in the 24-28 watt range are hard to find in the 48in. I currently use it as supplemental light between my 2 current usa ic pro fixtures. mostly softy, LPS corals on a 90 tall

Any thoughts???

 

[oreo54]

Many say t5HO bulbs will run just fine w/ NO ballasts, just at a lower wattage.
YMMV.
[/quote]HO bulbs prefer more power than regular bulbs. They will work on a normal ballast, but won't give peak performance. A normal bulb in an HO ballast will be overdriven to its destruction. [/quote]
As to swapping sure you can but it depends on fit in the fixture ect.
It's "relatively" easy..
Bulb fittings are the same between ho and no..

 

[MCloudy21]

Many say t5HO bulbs will run just fine w/ NO ballasts, just at a lower wattage.
YMMV.

HO bulbs prefer more power than regular bulbs. They will work on a normal ballast, but won't give peak performance. A normal bulb in an HO ballast will be overdriven to its destruction. [/quote]
As to swapping sure you can but it depends on fit in the fixture ect.
It's "relatively" easy..
Bulb fittings are the same between ho and no..
[/QUOTE]


Great thanks for the info

 

[Awesome Dennis]

What bulbs are listed on the current ballast?
If the bulb number isn't listed on the ballast I would change the ballast to a ballast that lists the Ho bulb otherwise you’ll be burning through bulbs.