Jonathan...help :)

[Dez]

Hey Jonathan,

I'm looking at overdriving a 24" flourescent bulb, I think they're 20 watts. It's for a new refugium/sump. it's 15 gallons, but the section that needs light is only 5.5 gallons (24" x 7" x 8") would overdriving one bulb be enough for a refugium/coral grow out? Thanks for your input...

des

[Canadian Man]

Hey Dez;
Well the problem I see is you will only have a section of the bulb over the refugium, which is ok. If you OD the bulb 4x it should be enough light for softies and definatley enough to grow the green stuff. 2 smaller bulbs wired in series is possible on the same ballast and both would be wired on the same ballast od 4x still. I have this set up on my nano.if you need a wiring diagram I can mail you one when i get home on my computer.

[AJ_77]

There'a another post needing your attention, buddy.

;)

AJ

[Dez]

Jonathan....

Hmmm...what do you mean that only a section of my bulb will be over the refugium? I have 24" across for just corals and the green stuff... I designed it so that I can have full lighting accross the 24 inches. What do you mean by overdriving it 4x. Is there a specific ballast that I should use? I have an old ballast to run 2 40 watts...will that be crazy of me to use? i just don't want to burn the house down..

thanks..

des

[Canadian Man]

sorry did not realize it would br 24" long. You HAVE to use electronic ballasts
you can buy them to light 2 bulbs and 4 bulbs in normal set up.
if you overdrive 4 X than you are using a ballst ment to drive 4 bulbs and hooking up all the outputs to 1 bulb.
once again Magnetic ballasts will not work and will burn your house down.
MUST BE ELECTRONIC.you can find them at HD.
4bulb T8 Electronic ballasts.

[ 18 April 2002, 11:45: Message edited by: Canadian Man ]

[AJ_77]

These T8 ballasts, will they fire T12 bulbs (1.5")properly?

AJ

[Canadian Man]

yes t8 ballast's will fire t12 bulbs but the t8's are brighter bulbs/ more efficient.