workhorse 7 ballasts question

[thisisme]

does anyone know if i would have any issues wireing 8x 24w t5ho the reason i ask is i have a 40gal stretch hex and i want to put 5 bulbs on the main tank and 3 for the sump using the ballast i have alrady from a previous tank i have an attached file on how i would like to do this (if it works lol ) any info would be great also bulb combos just to see what you think looking at keeping mostly softies maybe a few lps and sps. thank you for your time

[thisisme]

or would it be better if i just ran 4 x 24w t5ho rather than the 8

[Mike31154]

According to a pdf Workhorse ballast compatibility document I have, the WH7 is not compatible with any 24W T5HO lamps. I'm currently using WH8 ballasts to overdrive a couple of 54W T5HOs and it supposedly will run 24W lamps as well. This is somewhat puzzling since both the WH7 and 8 are rated for 220W max, the only difference I can see is they have a different number of red wires. Here's an excerpt from a txt document I made up with info from various documents including the above mentioned compatibility document and the Fulham web site.

http://www.naturallighting.com/pdf_files/workhorse_wire_diagrams.pdf

http://www.1000bulbs.com/pdf/Fulham-Lamp-Chart-brochure.pdf

"Workhorse 8, Long Case, 120 volt Solid-State Electronic, Case Size, Height - 1.0", width - 1.72", Length - 19.25", Max. Power 220 watt, Max. Current 1.8 Amp. Instant start, Operating Temperature -20° F (-30º C) to 158º F (70º C) Low Cost Freezer Ballast Replacement. Sound Rated A. Do not use for remote mounting.
Workhorse 8 will operate following T5 Lamps
F24T5 HO - 4, 5, or 6 lamps (24 watts each - overdriven @36.66)
F39T5 HO - 3 lamps (39 watts each - overdriven @73?)
F54T5 HO - 1, 2, or 3 lamps (54 watts each - over or underdriven?)
F80T5 HO - 1 lamp (? watts each ?)
Ballast has 6 red wires, thus 220 watt/6 = 36.66 watts per wire?

WH8 info from Lamp Chart pdf
Config Diagram # of Red Wires/Lamp
4xF24HO 27 1
5xF24HO 28 1
6xF24HO 29 1
3xF39HO 25 1
4xF39HO 27 1
5xF39HO 28 1
1xF54HO 16 1
2xF54HO 22 1
3xF54HO 25 1
1xF80HO 16 1

Workhorse 7, Long Case, 120 volt Solid-State Electronic, Case Size, Height - 1.0", width - 1.72", Length - 18.5", Max. Power 220 watt, Max. Current 1.82 Amp. Instant start, Operating Temperature -20° F (-30º C) to 158º F (70º C) Low Cost Freezer Ballast Replacement. Sound Rated. A Do not use for remote mounting.
Workhorse 7 will operate following T5 lamps
F39T5 HO - 4 Lamps
F54T5 HO - 3 or 4 Lamps
F80T5 HO - 2 Lamps"

So, bottom line, with your WH7, looks like you may need to switch to 39 or 54 watt lamps, and fewer of them than the number of 24s your thinking of using. The hookup you show in your wiring diagram 'might' work, but it's not like anything shown or recommended by Fulham. HTH

[thisisme]

ok thanks i might go with the F39T5 HO - 4 Lamps for the time being as i am hoping to get a new fixture next year sometime when i can gather the money lol. anyone know of a good bulb combo for a 24" deep tank, softy, zoa tank