Question about ballasts, and lamps.

[Grahxen]

Hi guys, I am putting 4 VHO lights in my new tank. I already have that squared away. My question is, I want to add 2 standard 20 Watt 24" bulbs into my setup to add a dusk/dawn effect. (the 2 20watt bulbs coming on before the 4 vho 75 watts). Someone said to go out and buy a standard dual lamp shop light, which i did. My question is, I have 2 18k spectrum power glo lights, and as you know I think those are T-8 bulbs, they are much smaller then the standard T-12 i think it is. I put them in my ballast, and the bulbs do not light. I am guessing this is because of the fact the ballast will only fire t-12 bulbs and not t-8 bulbs?? The power glo bulbs work fine in the fixture that cae with the tank, so I know th bulbs work. I am guessing its the ballast. Now the real question is, if its the ballast, what ballast can i buy that will fire up those t-8 bulbs? Or should i just not use the power glos, and buy standard 50/50 T12 bulbs??

Thanks for the help!

 

[Anonymous]

Is the wattage for T-8 same as the T-12? If it is , I am surprised that the ballast can't drive the lamps... is the fixture that came with the tank being used? If not, you can rewire the hood, and use it to drive the power glo bulbs instead of the dtandard dual shop light.

 

[Grahxen]

The T8 Bulbs are the same wattage as the T12's, however on the ballast it says it only works with T12 bulbs. The fixture that came with the tank is a single bulb setup and work work for what I want to do. I either need to find 24" Standard T12 bulbs, or a new ballast that will work with them.

 

[Grahxen]

Actually, on the ballast it says it will work with 15W T8 bulbs???? 15W? Never seen those... Im just going to pick up 2 T12 bulbs. Apparently from what i read, most standard ballasts wont fire a T12 bulb becauause of differences in the voltage.

 

[Anonymous]

The ballasts will definitely fire those T-8's...I guess make sure you have them tightly secure in the fixture???


8)

 

[Grahxen]

I tried everything to get them to fire. Wouldnt work, i went back to my pet shop today and picked up 2 coralife 50/50 t12s, they fired up instantly

O well, Ill use the power glos in my refigum or something Im just waiitng for my VHOs to come, and my friend to finish making my hood and im all set to go