What bulbs work without a ballast?

[DrDave88]

Setting up the tank....

I have a 55 and was wondering what can i put above the tank that does not require a ballast? I know good lighting is essential, but i don't have the funds to get ballasts for quite some time...

question: What kind of lights can i get above the tank that would start up in a standard aquarium fixture? i have an 18" fixture, and the full 4' of which exact size i do not know of at this time...
do you suggest a real cheap alternitive?

-dr

 

[esmithiii]

What bulbs work without a ballast?

incandescent. The fixture you have is a NO ballast. Only NO lights will work in it. Unfortunately, you will not be able to keep photosynthetic corals under NO lamps without additional light of some sort.

 

[Tybond]

Go to your local Home Improvement Center : Lowes, Menards, Home Depot etc... And pick up 2 inexpensive flourecent 4' dual light shop light fixtures.

You can set them directly over the top of your 55g tank. 8x40watt Normal Output = 320 watts. This should be acceptable for a good start of shrooms, some softies, and a few fish.

Be sure to buy aquarium rated bulbs while your at the home center. They are very cheap there instead of a LFS!

This isn't a preffered light setup but it will get you started!

ty :wink:

 

[Bill2]

Only incandescent lights work with out a ballast. Flour. still have a ballast

If you cannot buy a ballast I would rethink your plans to start a tank unless it's going to be a FOWLR tank and then you only have to provide illumination enough to see the fish. (I know other issues)

Bill

 

[Tybond]

I forgot to mention the ballast part of flourecent because I ment for him/her to purchase shop lights. Yes they use a ballast and my reasoning is because of the extremely low cost. My home depot carries them for 7 bucks and change minus bulbs which will set you back another 4 bucks and change per bulb. All told, the cost would be under 40.00 for eight 4 foot NO bulbs on the aquarium. The only DIY needed is wiring the plug and thats it.

 

[DrDave88]

Most weakness of knowledge falls under lighting.

could i put an actinic bulb in these fixtures?

-dr

 

[Tybond]

Sure. Just get an actinic bulb 4' NO (Normal Output)

The standard aquarium bulbs you will by through your home center will have a blueish purple tint to them anyway so you might not want to add the actinic anyway IMHO.

Ty