fixture vs. bulb

[ebauman75]

My 48" T-5 fixtures came with 2 28 watt bulbs each. The only bulbs I have been able to find so far are 54 watt bulbs. Would using these shorten the life of the bulbs or fixtures or am I just worrying too much?

 

[capncapo]

It depends on what ballast you have.

 

[ebauman75]

this is a completely stock aqualight T-5 from coralife

 

[capncapo]

I don't know anything about that brand but if it's using 28 watt bulbs then I suspect that it is designed for use with 28 watt bulbs and is not overdriving them.

You might want to check their website and see if you can find the specs on that particular unit. If it's a 56 watt ballast then that is not overdriving the bulbs. If it's a 108 watt then it is definitely overdriving them and it could effect the life of the bulbs.

 

[ebauman75]

I'm not sure you read that right! My fixtures came with 2 28 watt bulbs each, and I'm trying to figure out what bulbs to use when it comes time to replace them. The only replacement bulbs I have been able to find locally or online are 54s.

 

[ebauman75]

I want to make sure that running 54 watt bulbs isn't going to shorten the life of the bulbs or fry the fixture.

 

[capncapo]

I read it perfectly correct.

Your ballast is designed to run bulbs of a certain wattage. If your unit came with 28 watt bulbs then you should replace them with 28 watt bulbs. Your ballast may not even be able to light 2 54 watt bulbs.

Ballasts and bulbs are "mated pairs" and should be replaced with similar items. I'm sure that if the manufacturer gets 28 watt bulbs that you should be able to find them too.