Convert T8 fitting to T5

[AndrewRosenbaum]

I bought some power saving ballasts that were meant for T5s, but they turned out to be T8s...They are ballasts connected right to the fittings.

I saw some DIY lightings for T5 where people used CFLs' ballasts for their T5 ballast, then they connected a wire straight to the pins on the bulbs.

I was wondering if I could pull apart the T8 ballast, solder some wires to the metal strip (the fitting for the T8) and solder those wires to the T5?

I know that everytime the light blows I'll need to chop off the wires connected to the bulb.

 

[bundybear1981]

Proceed with EXTREME caution

Proceed with EXTREME caution

I would be concerned that the ballasts wouldn't be suitable to safely power the tubes. Ballasts are usually rated for XXwatts. You might find the T8 ballast you actually received are only rated at 38/40 watts, whereas the T5s are 54 watts (for a 4 foot tube), so the ballast that power the tube would be unpowered and pose a fire risk (if they even light the tubes)

IF they are compatible you should be able to buy new socket ends to change the size from the T8 fitting to a T5 fitting from any electrical parts store.
(ie http://www.ballastshop.com/t8-medium-bi-pin-socket-495.html )

 

[AndrewRosenbaum]

Yeah, my T8 ballast is rated at only 30 watts, but I thought the power consuption was the other way around? Where a 30watt T8 ballast can power a 50watt T5, but a 30watt T5 ballast can only power a 20watt T8 due to the T8's high power consumption and less engery efficient rating.

My tube is a small 24 watt T5 for my nano. I do have more lights on that tank, but they're only T8s so I'll be mixing the T5s with T8s.

 

[uncleof6]

I bought some power saving ballasts that were meant for T5s, but they turned out to be T8s...They are ballasts connected right to the fittings.

I saw some DIY lightings for T5 where people used CFLs' ballasts for their T5 ballast, then they connected a wire straight to the pins on the bulbs.

Whoever is doing this stuff, does not know what they are doing.

I was wondering if I could pull apart the T8 ballast, solder some wires to the metal strip (the fitting for the T8) and solder those wires to the T5?

I know that everytime the light blows I'll need to chop off the wires connected to the bulb.

A ballast is a current limiting device. They are, for T5/HO, application specific. In other words a T8 ballast, of any wattage rating, will not properly operate a T5/HO lamp. A 30 watt T8 ballast will not power a 54 watt T5 lamp, a 39 watt T5 ballast will not operate a 20 watt T8 properly. Someone has been giving you some questionable information.

If you want to run T5 lamps, get a proper T5/HO ballast. Better than the current and consequential heat sucking holes in your T5 lamps. T5/HO is good efficiency for what it gives--done the right way. Using questionable "energy efficiency" modifications is just plain ridiculous.