Lighting, a beginner’s guide (part 1)

[rusty]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

Hmm guess this means I will have to get my but in gear on part 2

Steve

please do I want to get halides for the new tank I am making. Ifpart 2 is like part one it should explain every thing I will need to know, Thanks

[Xtasia]

Thank you for posting this. I went into zombie mode when people started yelling out numbers and letters (assuming they either ment powerhead IDs or lighting)... too much for me to absorb!

This definitely helps!!

Do MHs soon please, as I have MHs!

[muck]

Any progress on Part 2 Steve..?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by muck

Any progress on Part 2 Steve..?

yup, just got to make it all make sence now hehe.

Steve

[BCOrchidGuy]

This means that a ballast made for NO lighting will be able to put out a max current of 0.4Amps, a HO ballast outputs around 0.8Amps (also the same make up as a ballast for Power compacts), and a VHO is approximately 1.5Amps.

Steve, just curious does this only apply to 4ft tubes or other lengths as well?

Doug

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by BCOrchidGuy

Steve, just curious does this only apply to 4ft tubes or other lengths as well?

Doug

all lengths, the length (and make up) of the bulb is what determines the resistance and when run on that current it will give you the wattage.

Steve

[JOEL]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the good information. I was wondering if part 2 was out yet as I'm just in the process of looking for MH ballasts and the more info I can get, the better. I'm thinking of buying IceCap 250 watt to run HQI
or regular MH bulbs, I also hear that the IceCap can run HQI's or regular bulbs - or are there better ballasts out there that you know of??

Thanks in advance

Joel

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by JOEL

or are there better ballasts out there that you know of??

Thanks in advance

Joel

yes there are, any other non electronic ballast. Electronic ballasts underdrive the bulbs so you don't get the full capability out of the bulb.. the amount of power this saves will take years to offset the cost difference.

I personaly prefer the M80 tar ballasts (250 watt HQI ballast) they will run any 250 watt bulb out there. if they are to expensive then the next best choise would be a pulse start ballast.


Steve

[JOEL]

hi Steve

Do you know where I can get an m80 ballast at a good price
for a dIy project? And is there differant brands of m 80s? Also what kind of bulbs do you use?

joel

[muck]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

yup, just got to make it all make sence now hehe.

Steve

Figured it out yet..??