Okay Matt
I looked at the ballast from your other post;
You stated;
"The ballast that i'm looking at is from hellolights.com
The dual 55 watt compact kit. There is an icon on the home. I think the model number is 55Bal-kit or something. Thanks."
First off - are you planning to install these lights in an existing hood or canopy, or DIY and make a new one?
Is your 33 gallon a 33 long? 48x13x12 ???
As the webpage described they offer that ballast kit complete and ready to plug your bulbs into the style lamp base of your choosing.
The two standard choices for both lamp bases and PC bulbs are;
German - 2G11 - with the 4 pin "straight" configuration.
Or
Japanese - GY10q - with the 4 pin "square" configuration.
You decide what you want in this regards.
Whatever lamp base you order when you order the ballast kit, will be the type bulbs you will be able to use with this ballast kit as it is furnished. You can't interchange the 4pin Square with the 4pin Straight.
Then decide on the wattage.
Looks like this ballast arrangement will drive two of the following bulbs
28 watt
36 watt
55 watt
65 watt
Once you know the wattage you want - look for for the length you want.
Then pick the bulb that has the lamp base that matches the type you selected with the ballast, and has the wattage, color temperature(K) and length you want.
That's it.
Again it all depends on what you are planning to do. Retrofit an existing hood/canopy, build your own one, or whatever.
Just for kicks - I know you can get a CustomSealife 48" x 6" x 4" black metal enclosure, complete with ventalation vents, ballast, (2) 65 watt Smartlite PC Bulbs, and on/off switch for $134.91 online.
You'd have about $133.00 bucks in something similar from hellolights for just the ballast kit and 2 comparable bulbs, without the enclosure hood fixture.
A combination of 10K and 50/50 will be way more than necessary for a few fish and a cleanup crew. All ya really need to do is see'um, and bring out the fishes coloration. It would certainly light up the 33 more than a standard 40 watt fluorescent would for sure.
Pretty sure you could keep some mushrooms or other low light corals with what you are planing to buy.
HTH
