Lighting Identification

[Aquarium1]

Originally Posted by Aquarium1

I'll check in the morning and update as soon as I can.

So I felt it and it's pretty heavy especially at one end. So it will probably is magnetic. Only T 12s and 10s, right? Eventually, once I get everything set up.

[beglely]

Originally Posted by jsoong

You can open the fixture to look at the ballast, or just borrow a T8 tube & see if it fits. If it lights up, you are good to go!

From what Ive read I must advise against this. Using a bulb with an improper ballast can severly shorten the bulb life. overheat, and can even burn out your ballast. Just check to make sure first so you dont ruin your light. T8 and T12 lights have the same socket size, but just because a T8 lights up in your ballast, doesnt mean the ballast is rated for a T8 bulb.

[Aquarium1]

Originally Posted by beglely

From what Ive read I must advise against this. Using a bulb with an improper ballast can severly shorten the bulb life. overheat, and can even burn out your ballast. Just check to make sure first so you dont ruin your light. T8 and T12 lights have the same socket size, but just because a T8 lights up in your ballast, doesnt mean the ballast is rated for a T8 bulb.

For a magnetic could I use T-12?

[Aquarium1]

Originally Posted by beglely

From what Ive read I must advise against this. Using a bulb with an improper ballast can severly shorten the bulb life. overheat, and can even burn out your ballast. Just check to make sure first so you dont ruin your light. T8 and T12 lights have the same socket size, but just because a T8 lights up in your ballast, doesnt mean the ballast is rated for a T8 bulb.

For a magnetic Ballast could I use T-12?

[Aquarium1]

Srry bout the double post.

[FishEggs]

if you are going to open up the fixture make sure it's not plugged in.

[Aquarium1]

So it will use T-12 on a magnetic ballast?

[FishEggs]

most likely t-12 but could be t-10 to know for sure you will have to open it up.

[jsoong]

The ballasts are rated for wattage, not for bulb size. So in theory you can plug in a 40W PC or T5 into that old 40W T12 ballast (with new end caps) & it should work.

So yes, an old 40W ballasts will light a T10 or 12 40W tube. <It will even work with a 40W T8 - although I have only seen those at lfs for $$$$.> I have old magnetic fixtures running 36W T12's in my garage, but they will not light a 32W T8 .... but if it works, it is like overdriving & will shorten the bulb life. However, most people need to change bulbs after 6-12 months anyways, so that is a moot point. <The Overdirve fanatics typically put 80W ballasts to a 40W bulb, & still get 6 or so month of use.>

At any rate, my suggestion to try a T8 does not mean use a $30 lfs bulb. Rather, a $3 Home depot tube.

PS - one more sign of an old magnetic ballast - it hums in use.

[Aquarium1]

Originally Posted by jsoong

The ballasts are rated for wattage, not for bulb size. So in theory you can plug in a 40W PC or T5 into that old 40W T12 ballast (with new end caps) & it should work.

So yes, an old 40W ballasts will light a T10 or 12 40W tube. <It will even work with a 40W T8 - although I have only seen those at lfs for $$$$.> I have old magnetic fixtures running 36W T12's in my garage, but they will not light a 32W T8 .... but if it works, it is like overdriving & will shorten the bulb life. However, most people need to change bulbs after 6-12 months anyways, so that is a moot point. <The Overdirve fanatics typically put 80W ballasts to a 40W bulb, & still get 6 or so month of use.>

At any rate, my suggestion to try a T8 does not mean use a $30 lfs bulb. Rather, a $3 Home depot tube.

PS - one more sign of an old magnetic ballast - it hums in use.

Well I'll b ok with the 12s 4 now. After a few years I'll get a new fixture. In the future I plan on having saltwater so I'll need a better fixture for that any way (if I go reef) but that'll b a wile.