PC ballast/bulb combo question.

Dante_JoseCuerv · 03/12/2009, 02:34 PM

Ok so I'm gonna be building a new fuge this summer for my system, and I'm gonna be reusing as much of my stuff as I can. I've got a 4x 65W PC fixture that I got for $25 and of course the ballasts are 4x 55/65W ballasts (who'da thunk it?). Anyways, my friend works at banana republic and they recently ordered the wrong bulbs for their store, so he gave me the bulbs and I'm sitting on about 60 50W bulbs rated at around 5000K, a great range for growing algae in a fuge. My question is this: will these bulbs be ok with my ballasts or will I need to get new ballasts? My DT will be upgraded to MH/T5 so I don't need to worry about that, but if I can work with this cheap fixture and just swap the bulbs I'll be happy as I'm set for quite a while with these bulbs.

rguyler · 03/13/2009, 08:19 PM

If the base matches then I say go for it. Fluorescent ballasts can often handle variable wattage bulbs and if anything the bulbs might get damaged but I do not think the ballast will have a problem.

Besides, like you said, it's a cheap fixture so to me sounds like it's worth it to try.

Dante_JoseCuerv · 03/13/2009, 08:23 PM

Ok cool! I'll probably end up testing it out in the morning, just to see, but what kind of damage are we looking at? Like the bulb exploding or just burning out?

03/12/2009, 02:34 PM	#1
Dante_JoseCuerv Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sugar Grove, IL Posts: 1,214	PC ballast/bulb combo question. Ok so I'm gonna be building a new fuge this summer for my system, and I'm gonna be reusing as much of my stuff as I can. I've got a 4x 65W PC fixture that I got for $25 and of course the ballasts are 4x 55/65W ballasts (who'da thunk it?). Anyways, my friend works at banana republic and they recently ordered the wrong bulbs for their store, so he gave me the bulbs and I'm sitting on about 60 50W bulbs rated at around 5000K, a great range for growing algae in a fuge. My question is this: will these bulbs be ok with my ballasts or will I need to get new ballasts? My DT will be upgraded to MH/T5 so I don't need to worry about that, but if I can work with this cheap fixture and just swap the bulbs I'll be happy as I'm set for quite a while with these bulbs.

03/13/2009, 08:19 PM	#2
rguyler Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 606	If the base matches then I say go for it. Fluorescent ballasts can often handle variable wattage bulbs and if anything the bulbs might get damaged but I do not think the ballast will have a problem. Besides, like you said, it's a cheap fixture so to me sounds like it's worth it to try. __________________ -- Rik Current Tank Info: 120G Reef - AI Hydra 26HD lighting, AquaC Skimmer, Reeflo Blackfin Pump, Gyre XF250 Dual Pumps, Aqua Medic Dosing Alk/Ca/Mg & Vinegar, HydroFill Ti ATO, Basement Sump w/Refugium and Kessil 160 Blue Lights

03/13/2009, 08:23 PM	#3
Dante_JoseCuerv Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sugar Grove, IL Posts: 1,214	Ok cool! I'll probably end up testing it out in the morning, just to see, but what kind of damage are we looking at? Like the bulb exploding or just burning out?