actinic lighting

alistairf · 02/27/2006, 01:55 PM

I presently have a 75gal, with 2x175watt Hamilton MH, and 2x60watt actinics. The MH and actinics are wired so that I can not have the actinics on without the MH.
I want to be able to do so..........

Is there a way of rewiring the existing light?
If I use a seperate actinic light, is it worth taking an old Perfecto fluorescent light and installing a "$15" 40watt actinic blue bulb?

Entropy · 02/27/2006, 02:04 PM

What kind of bulbs are 60 watt? Halides and flourescents work off different ballasts, so it sounds like who ever made your canopy went cheap and only used one switch. You should be able to rewire the unit to have two switches (or more). My setup has an individual switch for each halide, and a single switch for my two actinics.

alistairf · 02/27/2006, 02:22 PM

Thanks, to be honest I have not opened the metal ballast box. Maybe I'll have to investigate.

02/27/2006, 01:55 PM	#1
alistairf Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida, NY Posts: 594	actinic lighting I presently have a 75gal, with 2x175watt Hamilton MH, and 2x60watt actinics. The MH and actinics are wired so that I can not have the actinics on without the MH. I want to be able to do so.......... Is there a way of rewiring the existing light? If I use a seperate actinic light, is it worth taking an old Perfecto fluorescent light and installing a "$15" 40watt actinic blue bulb?

02/27/2006, 02:04 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	What kind of bulbs are 60 watt? Halides and flourescents work off different ballasts, so it sounds like who ever made your canopy went cheap and only used one switch. You should be able to rewire the unit to have two switches (or more). My setup has an individual switch for each halide, and a single switch for my two actinics. __________________ 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

02/27/2006, 02:22 PM	#3
alistairf Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida, NY Posts: 594	Thanks, to be honest I have not opened the metal ballast box. Maybe I'll have to investigate.