ran new bulb on wrong wattage-- doh!!

upsetter · 01/15/2014, 07:32 PM

Accidentally ran my new 250 watt radium on my galaxy select a watt at the 400 watt setting these first two days!! Was downgrading from 400 watters and totally forgot to switch the ballast to the 250hqi setting. The photoperiod was only 1.5 hours both days (while I was at work otherwise I may have noticed) and the bulb didn't blow up. How bad did I hurt it though? Does that screw up the spectrum or anything? Is it still safe to use over my sps? Ugghh I was so mad at myself. Just popped into my head while I was pumping gas today "I never freaking switched the ballast..." Corals seem fine just wondering if any lighting gurus know whether it's safe to keep using or did I just make an $80 mistake?

grigsy · 01/15/2014, 08:15 PM

It will be fine. You only overdriven the bulb for a few hours. I wouldn't expect any issue with that. I ran my MH 250 watt bulbs with a PFO 400 watt ballast for a few weeks and there wasn't any issue.

upsetter · 01/15/2014, 08:32 PM

That's kinda what I figured/hoped-- it's literally been 3 hours total. But it makes me feel better to hear it from someone else-- Thanks Grigsy!

01/15/2014, 07:32 PM	#1
upsetter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gainesville,FL Posts: 265	ran new bulb on wrong wattage-- doh!! Accidentally ran my new 250 watt radium on my galaxy select a watt at the 400 watt setting these first two days!! Was downgrading from 400 watters and totally forgot to switch the ballast to the 250hqi setting. The photoperiod was only 1.5 hours both days (while I was at work otherwise I may have noticed) and the bulb didn't blow up. How bad did I hurt it though? Does that screw up the spectrum or anything? Is it still safe to use over my sps? Ugghh I was so mad at myself. Just popped into my head while I was pumping gas today "I never freaking switched the ballast..." Corals seem fine just wondering if any lighting gurus know whether it's safe to keep using or did I just make an $80 mistake? __________________ "Life without music, ham and eggs would be a mistake"--Nietzsche Current Tank Info: 125 AO 48x30x20 Some ham & 2 eggs

01/15/2014, 08:32 PM	#3
upsetter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gainesville,FL Posts: 265	That's kinda what I figured/hoped-- it's literally been 3 hours total. But it makes me feel better to hear it from someone else-- Thanks Grigsy! __________________ "Life without music, ham and eggs would be a mistake"--Nietzsche Current Tank Info: 125 AO 48x30x20 Some ham & 2 eggs

01/15/2014, 08:15 PM	#2
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	It will be fine. You only overdriven the bulb for a few hours. I wouldn't expect any issue with that. I ran my MH 250 watt bulbs with a PFO 400 watt ballast for a few weeks and there wasn't any issue.