12" t5 fluorescent fixtures

Hey, so I'm having two small problems. I'm having a lot of trouble finding reasonably priced 12" t5 fixtures. I'd be happy with 1-3 bulb fixtures, as long as they were 12" (space issues)
Secondly, how easy is it to install t5 fixtures? I've seen a few, and it doesn't look amazingly hard, but I'd like to make sure.
I got my electrician friend to set up the lighting in my previous cabinet, but he's moved overseas ): Any help would be much appreciated!
Before anybody tells me to get HPS/MH - Space issues
Before anybody tells me to get LEDs - Cost issues
;D My plants are surviving in a cardboard box with 4 CFLs at the moment, so I'd like to get this set up ASAP.
Thanks in advance!

i think 12"t5 are about the same as 26watt cfls . if your space is that small just put 2 more cfls in there and you would be better off. unless you can sqeeze 6 or 8 t5s in there. t5s are not cheap. cfls are. usually you can just hang t5 fixtures from a chain and they usually come prewired. good luck

Thanks man! I was actually considering buying a few of thosee y adapters for my cfls and seeing where it takes me.

I came across a few threads on some random aquarium board one night and it seemed to be quite common for people to wire there own T5 fixtures. I can't remember where it was but I certain if you do a little research into T5's for coral growth or aquarium use you could find it.

It may seem kind of strange to be lurking on an aquarium site but they have tons of good info on lighting.
I wish I could help you more....good luck though.