So I was looking into making a more compact and functional light for Fred's enclosure that i would be able to tuck inside the tank... the question of ballasts and lamp holders arose when i began wondering how i would run the wiring outside the tank. I know i need a good electronic ballast and a medium bi-pin socket but will it be a ballast that is instant start or program start or rapid start... and for the sockets are they going to be shunted or non-shunted... anyone got any ideas? im gonna continue to use my T8 reptisun's due to enclosure height. Do the low cost fixtures have the right ballast to efficiently run the bulb as it should? is it easier to just build your own?
For T8s I've had good luck just using a Zilla Slimline fixture with built in reflector. They produce a pretty consistent, high power output. They are easy to mount using the small (1lb rated) command hooks which fit in the holes in the back.
thanks guys, figured out the tombstone issue, need shunted holders, and got everything built and ready aaaaaaaaaaaand then my wife saw what i was up to and put a stop to it... sticking with the zoo med 36" hood i guess.