80w ballast - Aquarium Advice

ThrowedToad · 10-31-2008, 10:08 PM

I have two 80w ballasts. Pic link below. Now, these are rated for two 40w bulbs apiece. Can I take one of them and run 4 20w bulbs? This would give me the light I need in my 29 gal SW tank. I figure the other 10w is nominal, I will add a night light to the mix.lol. Is this a feasible project or not?
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/S7303328.jpg http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o154/throwedtoad/S7303330.jpg

Thank you all for your information.

SpeedEuphoria · 10-31-2008, 10:47 PM

If you wire it right so it thinks you have 2 48" bulbs it should work

**ccCapt** · 11-01-2008, 08:14 AM

I would not take the chance.
Go to HD or Lowes and buy the proper ballast. Probably not more than $10-$15 for a ballast.

CHBGator · 11-10-2008, 05:40 PM

That looks like an old magnetic ballast your better off buying a new instant start ballast. HD and Lowes sell them pretty cheap.

**jsoong** · 11-10-2008, 11:33 PM

You can only do 4x20W in an 80W ballast if it is an electronic load-sensing one. What you have is an old coil ballast. It will not work properly with anything other than 2x40.