Matching Bulb to Ballast

Stoller · 01/19/2008, 07:50 PM

Do you have to use a 400W bulb on a 400W pulse start M59 ballast? I want to try a 250W bulb at a lower K, but I wasn't sure if I could use the same ballast I have wired right now. Can I just screw in a 250W bulb and fire it up?
I don't want to explode a bulb or something.
thanks

Entropy · 01/19/2008, 08:35 PM

It might work, but I would say it would be very bad for either the bulb or the ballast (or maybe both). I definately wouldn't try it in the house.

01/19/2008, 07:50 PM	#1
Stoller Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Webster NY Posts: 353	Matching Bulb to Ballast Do you have to use a 400W bulb on a 400W pulse start M59 ballast? I want to try a 250W bulb at a lower K, but I wasn't sure if I could use the same ballast I have wired right now. Can I just screw in a 250W bulb and fire it up? I don't want to explode a bulb or something. thanks

01/19/2008, 08:35 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	It might work, but I would say it would be very bad for either the bulb or the ballast (or maybe both). I definately wouldn't try it in the house. __________________ 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