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02/16/2006, 08:08 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 675
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VHO Ballast question
a local resident here is selling a sylvania 120 v magnetic ballast. it runs 2x96 vho bulbs. How do I know what length of bulbs will match up to it? I know nothing about VHO or how it works. If someone could shed some light on this I would appreciate it. I am looking to put it on my 48" long tank for an actinic suppliment (sunrise/sunset effect)
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02/16/2006, 12:20 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 675
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anyone have an opinion?
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68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa |
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02/16/2006, 12:41 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 228
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Contact the people at hellolights.com They can help you out.
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02/16/2006, 12:55 PM
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#4 |
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Texas Reefer
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Round Rock, TX
Posts: 13,656
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The closest I can think of is the 3 foot 95w VHO bulb. Do you have model number for the ballast? You can get a 2x110w E-ballast for about $40 online. (ARO-220, or Fulham Workhorse 7)
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Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g |
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02/16/2006, 01:23 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 675
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the model number is mb2x96/vho/120 rs and it says it runs lamp types 2xf96vhot12/ss, 2xf96vhot12, 2xf72vhot12 Now I don't really know what any of that means.
__________________
68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa |
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02/16/2006, 03:36 PM
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#6 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: North Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,703
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That ballast is designed to operate 96" and 72" VHO lamps. It will overpower shorter bulbs.
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02/16/2006, 04:48 PM
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#7 |
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Texas Reefer
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Round Rock, TX
Posts: 13,656
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You could probalby still use it to run VHO bulbs in series (two in sereis to make it seem like a single 8 foot bulb). In theory you should be able to run four 48" VHO bulbs off this ballast.
__________________
Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g |
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02/16/2006, 04:49 PM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 675
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so it will run (2)- 48" 120w bulbs in series?
__________________
68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa |
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02/16/2006, 04:58 PM
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#9 |
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Texas Reefer
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Round Rock, TX
Posts: 13,656
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2x110w VHO bulbs in series. I am guessing it will based off the above info. The 96" vho bulbs is 215w so it should be perfect. It might suck a lot of power though and I am guessing an eballast would do a better job for less power and not cost much more. E ballasts are about $40 shipped like I mentioned earlier.
__________________
Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g |
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02/17/2006, 01:33 AM
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#10 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: North Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,703
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That Sylvania magnetic VHO will not be able to operate 48†lamps in series.
That ballast is a rapid start ballast. It preheats the cathodes (filaments) at start up to light the lamp. This type of starting requires a lower voltage to light the lamps. If the lamps are in series one cathode (end) on both lamps will not be pre heated. The ballast will not have enough voltage to light the lamps. Electronic and magnetic instant start ballasts work differently. Some of these ballasts can light bulbs that are configured in series. These ballasts light the lamps instantly by providing the lamp high voltage at start up. These ballasts do not pre heat the cathodes. |
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02/17/2006, 07:28 AM
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#11 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 675
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I see what you mean. Thanks for the information. Just out of curiosity, what do you think a DIY VHO setup would cost? I just want to run 2 VHO actinics to immitate sunrise/sunset
__________________
68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa |
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