T5 Lighting Question
 

What kind of ballast is required to run T5 NO lighting?

For example, this bulb:

http://www.hellolights.com/28wa48acbl03.html

Also, what kind of endcaps, do they fit into regular NO fluorescent endcaps light office buildings have?

An Ice Cap 660, or 440 will light those. Also Triad ballasts will light T-5 bulbs. I think Workhorse ballasts work too, but I can't remember.

Also, you need T-5 endcaps as they are smaller than the normal T-8 or T-12 tubes.

Are there any actinic and 10K bulbs that will run on plain jane fluorescent ballast like the ones commonly found in office buildings running 4, 3-4 foot lamps?

You should be able to get those Hagen bulbs that run on those ballasts at most pet stores.

Any internet links? I am having some trouble because there are T5, T8, T12 NO bulbs, I dont know what type of bulb the "office" fluorescents usually are.

I think I need to get the specs on the ballasts and go from there, I thought there might be a "standard" fluorescent lighting setup, but looks like there are different configurations.

If you do know of any other cheap bulb places for me to check that would be appreciated though.

The number is the diameter of the tube in eighths of an inch.

ex. T8 = 1" dia.
T12 = 1.5" dia.

For regular T12's the wattage is 5/6 of the length in inches. ex. 48"=40w

Here's a link to some info http://members.misty.com/don/f-lamp.html

I think aquarium NO's usually have waterproof endcaps but you can buy those seperately.

My Coravue T5 lights have waterproof end caps.

Well the NO ballasts I was looking at are sold, so much for that! :cry:

Any decent priced canadian lighting wholesalers in Canada with an on-line catalogue?

http://www.brite-lite.com/