Newbie Question

[F.D.S.]

I have a question about lighting again:
I have two 55w 10k and two 55w actinic blue PC's on my 55gal tank.
Inhabitants are some damsels, 1 snowflake eel, green star polyps, a few
mushrooms and brown button polyps. When it comes time to replace the bulbs,
can I put 65w or 96w on the system? Or would it be a waste of money due to
output of light is dependent on the ballast powering it? Thanks for all your
help.
Fernan

[reefman MC]

I don't think your ballast will be equipped to hold that much wattage.
It might start a fire. You probably shouldn't take any chances.


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reefman MC
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[Richard Reynolds]

> I have a question about lighting again:
> I have 4 55w PC's on my tank.
> When it comes time to replace the bulbs,
> can I put 65w or 96w on the system? Or would it be a waste of money due to
> output of light is dependent on the ballast powering it? Thanks for all your

which ballast do you have powering those lights, some ballasts can power higher or lower
wattage lights others cant. its ballast dependant if you cant run them there are
alternative ballasts you can get and replace the one you have for not a whole lot of $$$

--
Richard Reynolds

[PaulB]

I think 65w bulbs would just run at the wattage of the ballast (which might
be closer to 65). These bulbs are often sold as "55w/65w" anyway. In fact
the ballasts are often sold as 55/65w. Anyway, the ballast drives the bulb
at it's wattage, not visa versa, so there is no advantage to buying 65w
bulbs.

96 watt bulbs are longer, so I doubt that they would even fit.


"F.D.S." > wrote in message
...
> I have a question about lighting again:
> I have two 55w 10k and two 55w actinic blue PC's on my 55gal tank.
> Inhabitants are some damsels, 1 snowflake eel, green star polyps, a few
> mushrooms and brown button polyps. When it comes time to replace the
bulbs,
> can I put 65w or 96w on the system? Or would it be a waste of money due to
> output of light is dependent on the ballast powering it? Thanks for all
your
> help.
> Fernan
>
>

[PaulB]

Here is some more info:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cfmarfaq2.htm

"F.D.S." > wrote in message
...
> I have a question about lighting again:
> I have two 55w 10k and two 55w actinic blue PC's on my 55gal tank.
> Inhabitants are some damsels, 1 snowflake eel, green star polyps, a few
> mushrooms and brown button polyps. When it comes time to replace the
bulbs,
> can I put 65w or 96w on the system? Or would it be a waste of money due to
> output of light is dependent on the ballast powering it? Thanks for all
your
> help.
> Fernan
>
>