Ballast question

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009.

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  1. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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    I just picked up a 400 watt MH se fixture(just one bulb and 2 18 watt pc atinics) can i run a 250 watt bulb, or will the ballast burn the bulb out asap
     
    oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009
    oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009
    #1

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  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    It's only ok if it's a switchable ballast.
     
    missionsix, Aug 29, 2009
    missionsix, Aug 29, 2009
    #2
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  3. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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    What does that mean? (im not good with all the ballast mobo jumbo :) )
     
    oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009
    oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009
    #3
  4. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    A switchable ballast can switch from one wattage bulb to another specified wattage.
     
    missionsix, Aug 29, 2009
    missionsix, Aug 29, 2009
    #4
  5. tatted4ever

    tatted4ever Clown Trigger

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    why not go with 400w?
     
    tatted4ever, Aug 29, 2009
    tatted4ever, Aug 29, 2009
    #5
  6. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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    Well i have a 20 gallon frag tank, dont need that much LOL i have a 55 frag with 8 bulb t5s and a 29 gallon with 4 bulb t5 so idk dont need 400 over a 20 lol
     
    oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009
    oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009
    #6

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  7. tatted4ever

    tatted4ever Clown Trigger

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    no such thing as overkill ;)
     
    tatted4ever, Aug 29, 2009
    tatted4ever, Aug 29, 2009
    #7
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  8. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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    U dont think that will NUKE everything i put in that tank????!!!
     
    oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009
    oceanparadise1, Aug 29, 2009
    #8
  9. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

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    Oh, there isn't huh? ;) I think bleached SPS would like to disagree! ;)
     
    Dr.Fragenstein, Aug 29, 2009
    Dr.Fragenstein, Aug 29, 2009
    #9
  10. tatted4ever

    tatted4ever Clown Trigger

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    Actually that would be silly if you did ;)

    I think they would be the only ones disagreeing ;)

    Wow I think we went OVERKILL on the ;).... ;) LMAO
     
    tatted4ever, Aug 29, 2009
    tatted4ever, Aug 29, 2009
    #10
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