PDA

View Full Version : Underdriving fluorescent bulbs?

Dez
12-16-2009, 05:57 PM
Just wondering if you can underdrive a fluorescent bulb? I'm looking at getting vho's. The 5' vho bulbs are 140 watts each. Can I use a ballast that would drive it at 110 watts? My main lighting is halides, I'm just thinking of supplementation. I have a 5' tank and I hate the shadows at the ends using only a 4' bulb. Thanks in advance.
Skimmerking
12-16-2009, 06:04 PM
Dez I have done it and had no problems you just wont get that much light remember. I did it with my 280 gal a along while ago... it worked great with actinics thou.
Dez
12-16-2009, 06:07 PM
Dez I have done it and had no problems you just wont get that much light remember. I did it with my 280 gal a along while ago... it worked great with actinics thou.

Thanks Mike.

The wattage really doesn't concern me, it's just covering the entire 5' that concerns me cause I don't want to stagger the 48" ones. Thanks so much. Just didn't want to wreck anything.
Skimmerking
12-16-2009, 06:08 PM
Oh ya i know look what you wrecked a perfectly good wall to OMG:lol:
Dez
12-16-2009, 06:10 PM
Oh ya i know look what you wrecked a perfectly good wall to OMG:lol:

There was a hole in the wall already man....and I wouldn't use the term "wreck" but rather "beautify"!:biggrin:
Skimmerking
12-16-2009, 06:14 PM
I stand corrected:wink:
StirCrazy
12-16-2009, 07:04 PM
Just wondering if you can underdrive a fluorescent bulb? I'm looking at getting vho's. The 5' vho bulbs are 140 watts each. Can I use a ballast that would drive it at 110 watts? My main lighting is halides, I'm just thinking of supplementation. I have a 5' tank and I hate the shadows at the ends using only a 4' bulb. Thanks in advance.

just use an icecap 660 to drive them.. they only drive them at HO levels.

Steve
rusty
12-17-2009, 02:16 AM
Hey Des do you need some ballasts? I have some work horse 7s ?
Delphinus
12-17-2009, 03:24 AM
What of using 80w T5's? Or... How wide is your tank again? What of using 24" T5's sideways to cover the gaps?
Dez
12-17-2009, 04:43 AM
I'm looking into the 80watt T5's. Just wanting to see what fiji purples look like first before I decide whether to go VHO's. Hmmmm, decisions decisions. I might just stick with the 48" ones for now. I'm just kind of picky that's all.
Dez
12-17-2009, 05:10 AM
Hey Des do you need some ballasts? I have some work horse 7s ?

I'll keep that in mind. I was thinking more of a plug and play system cause I'm so lazy these days. Thanks Russ.