Power Compact lighting question

ncwaterboy · 01/13/2009, 04:11 PM

My tank came equipped with a fixture that utilizes (2) 21", 55 watt power compact bulbs, straight pin configuration. Can I use (2) 65 watt replacement lamps to gain extra wattage? This would be an increase of almost 20%, which I think is significant. The bulbs appear to be exactly the same save for the wattage.

Ratkiller · 01/13/2009, 04:28 PM

Usually they are different in length, but if not cool. The only thing you have to worry about is if the ballast will be able to turn them on or not. I think the only way to know for sure is to try it.

reefnetworth · 01/13/2009, 04:50 PM

it can shorten the life of your ballast & bulbs also. but, as RatKiller (cool avatar BTW!) stated: "The only thing you have to worry about is if the ballast will be able to turn them on or not." it may fire em' a couple of times, and the next time it wont. the ballast will probably still be good, but only for the straight pin 55W PC's.

ive gotten a 9W ballast to fire 18W bulbs, but only for about two weeks. (i received the wrong PC's in an order i had placed, and tryed them anyway!)

EDIT: ballast has an "S" in it. duhh!

ncwaterboy · 01/13/2009, 05:49 PM

The bulb length is the same for both, 21". It is a relatively small jump in wattage so I would imagine the ballasts would be fine. I think I will try it.

01/13/2009, 04:11 PM	#1
ncwaterboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 100	Power Compact lighting question My tank came equipped with a fixture that utilizes (2) 21", 55 watt power compact bulbs, straight pin configuration. Can I use (2) 65 watt replacement lamps to gain extra wattage? This would be an increase of almost 20%, which I think is significant. The bulbs appear to be exactly the same save for the wattage.

01/13/2009, 04:28 PM	#2
Ratkiller Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 379	Usually they are different in length, but if not cool. The only thing you have to worry about is if the ballast will be able to turn them on or not. I think the only way to know for sure is to try it. __________________ Have you ever dreamed you were swimming in your tank? Current Tank Info: 120g glass, euro braced, half-in-wall, w/ 30g H sump & 20g L refugium

01/13/2009, 04:50 PM	#3
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	it can shorten the life of your ballast & bulbs also. but, as RatKiller (cool avatar BTW!) stated: "The only thing you have to worry about is if the ballast will be able to turn them on or not." it may fire em' a couple of times, and the next time it wont. the ballast will probably still be good, but only for the straight pin 55W PC's. ive gotten a 9W ballast to fire 18W bulbs, but only for about two weeks. (i received the wrong PC's in an order i had placed, and tryed them anyway!) EDIT: ballast has an "S" in it. duhh! __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping. Last edited by reefnetworth; 01/13/2009 at 05:15 PM.

01/13/2009, 05:49 PM	#4
ncwaterboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 100	The bulb length is the same for both, 21". It is a relatively small jump in wattage so I would imagine the ballasts would be fine. I think I will try it.