How do I run 1 Florescent tube?

Thomas Kent · 12/07/2008, 09:00 PM

I want to add one supplemental Actinic tube to my Metal Halides. I only have room for one tube along the front of my tank. I have an Ice Cap 430 and a 60 inch tank. Every wiring diagram I can find only goes down to 2 bulbs. I seem that if I run one bulb it will be over driven, run really hot and not last long.

I would prefer to run one bulb either VHO or T5. It seems the only way to correctly do this is to run 2 24 inch bulbs end to end.

Does anyone have a way to run one tube? Has anyone ran one VHO tube overdriven? How hot does it run?

Fish_wiz2 · 12/07/2008, 09:18 PM

can't, reason it shows two is two will complete the circuit while one can't, also over driven VHO is not as bad as you think, it already runs hot overdriven really won't do a thing but increase watts

Stoney G · 12/07/2008, 10:42 PM

You can get really cheap single strip fixtures now. I added 2 SLS Sun Blaze T5 strip fixtures. One on each side of my halides. You can also link them together for use with one plug. The fixtures are very cheap but they are HO and you can get German reflectors with them. I use Giesemann Actinic Plus lamps in them with 3 250 watt 14K lamps and love the color.

58merc · 12/08/2008, 10:03 PM

Go to your local electrical wholesale house. Tell them you need a single tube t5 Ho ballest. Should be around $30.

Thomas Kent · 12/08/2008, 10:47 PM

I think I'm going to over drive one VHO. I already have the bulb. Can anyone give wiring instructions. I remember reading about it before, but I can't remember exactly. Does anyone have experience with this?
How long should I expect the bulb last?

redfishsc · 12/08/2008, 11:03 PM

If you are simply supplementing for color and a bit more light/PAR, just put on a single (long style) 96-watt PC light.

I've seen a LOT of very nice 96W PC actinics supplementing MH's.

While I would not light a whole tank with only PC's, your MH's are going to drive the majority of your PAR, so even if you did use T5 or VHO for your actinics, I seriously doubt you'll see much of a difference in coral growth, but they will look pretty!

Here is one from www.ahsupply.com that comes with a great parabolic reflector for $60 (bulb not included). It's 34" long.

Thomas Kent · 12/09/2008, 10:17 PM

I'm not looking to add more par. I just want to bring out more colors and eliminate some shadowing.

I need some input on the wiring. I've read to connect the blue wires to one side and the reds to the other side. Any input on this?

scrombussquared · 12/09/2008, 10:59 PM

I can't find any info on running one lamp on a 430 ballast. Looks like your options are using two T5's or getting another ballast.

12/07/2008, 09:00 PM	#1
Thomas Kent Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5	How do I run 1 Florescent tube? I want to add one supplemental Actinic tube to my Metal Halides. I only have room for one tube along the front of my tank. I have an Ice Cap 430 and a 60 inch tank. Every wiring diagram I can find only goes down to 2 bulbs. I seem that if I run one bulb it will be over driven, run really hot and not last long. I would prefer to run one bulb either VHO or T5. It seems the only way to correctly do this is to run 2 24 inch bulbs end to end. Does anyone have a way to run one tube? Has anyone ran one VHO tube overdriven? How hot does it run?

12/07/2008, 09:18 PM	#2
Fish_wiz2 Mangroves are kool. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,246	can't, reason it shows two is two will complete the circuit while one can't, also over driven VHO is not as bad as you think, it already runs hot overdriven really won't do a thing but increase watts __________________ -The Wiz Current Tank Info: Elos Mini Seahorse Tank, 2500 gallon Koi pond

12/08/2008, 11:03 PM	#6
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	If you are simply supplementing for color and a bit more light/PAR, just put on a single (long style) 96-watt PC light. I've seen a LOT of very nice 96W PC actinics supplementing MH's. While I would not light a whole tank with only PC's, your MH's are going to drive the majority of your PAR, so even if you did use T5 or VHO for your actinics, I seriously doubt you'll see much of a difference in coral growth, but they will look pretty! Here is one from www.ahsupply.com that comes with a great parabolic reflector for $60 (bulb not included). It's 34" long. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

12/07/2008, 10:42 PM	#3
Stoney G Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 107	You can get really cheap single strip fixtures now. I added 2 SLS Sun Blaze T5 strip fixtures. One on each side of my halides. You can also link them together for use with one plug. The fixtures are very cheap but they are HO and you can get German reflectors with them. I use Giesemann Actinic Plus lamps in them with 3 250 watt 14K lamps and love the color.

12/08/2008, 10:03 PM	#4
58merc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 30	Go to your local electrical wholesale house. Tell them you need a single tube t5 Ho ballest. Should be around $30.

12/08/2008, 10:47 PM	#5
Thomas Kent Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5	I think I'm going to over drive one VHO. I already have the bulb. Can anyone give wiring instructions. I remember reading about it before, but I can't remember exactly. Does anyone have experience with this? How long should I expect the bulb last?

12/09/2008, 10:17 PM	#7
Thomas Kent Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5	I'm not looking to add more par. I just want to bring out more colors and eliminate some shadowing. I need some input on the wiring. I've read to connect the blue wires to one side and the reds to the other side. Any input on this?

12/09/2008, 10:59 PM	#8
scrombussquared Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Port Fierce, FL Posts: 177	I can't find any info on running one lamp on a 430 ballast. Looks like your options are using two T5's or getting another ballast.