Lighting System - Aquarium Advice

FishyFamily · 11-26-2005, 10:10 AM

Hello!
My husband and I want to build a 24" dual light system to affix to the bottom of a shelf that will be attached to the wall above our 35gal hex saltwater tank. (We just started our tank about a month and a half ago.)

My question is... can we use ballasts from a place such as home depot or lowes or do we have to buy our ballasts from aquarium suppliers?

ccCapt · 11-26-2005, 02:13 PM

You can use any ballast as long as it's the same type ballast and bulb, ie flourescent, [acronym:84498f171b="Very high output fluorescent"]vho[/acronym:84498f171b], [acronym:84498f171b="Power compact fluorescent"]pc[/acronym:84498f171b] or mh. You can't use a flourescent bulb ballast with a mh for example.

theatrus · 11-27-2005, 04:22 AM

I'd also strongly recommend electronic ballasts. Lamps keep their color longer, they don't buzz/flicker, and waste less energy.

NewInTown · 11-27-2005, 05:46 PM

I second the electronic ballasts. you could look at hellolights.com they carry retro fit kits and every thing you need.

11-26-2005, 10:10 AM	#1
FishyFamily Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 70	Lighting System Hello! My husband and I want to build a 24" dual light system to affix to the bottom of a shelf that will be attached to the wall above our 35gal hex saltwater tank. (We just started our tank about a month and a half ago.) My question is... can we use ballasts from a place such as home depot or lowes or do we have to buy our ballasts from aquarium suppliers?

11-26-2005, 02:13 PM	#2
ccCapt SW 10 & Over Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 1,877 Images: 3	You can use any ballast as long as it's the same type ballast and bulb, ie flourescent, [acronym:84498f171b="Very high output fluorescent"]vho[/acronym:84498f171b], [acronym:84498f171b="Power compact fluorescent"]pc[/acronym:84498f171b] or mh. You can't use a flourescent bulb ballast with a mh for example. __________________ 125g reef See My Tank Info Check out The build project /Larry

11-27-2005, 04:22 AM	#3
theatrus Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 429	I'd also strongly recommend electronic ballasts. Lamps keep their color longer, they don't buzz/flicker, and waste less energy. __________________ 55g reef, 2x250W 10k [acronym:7a5eabeab9="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:7a5eabeab9] + 2x96W [acronym:7a5eabeab9="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:7a5eabeab9] actninc, 10g sump, AquaC Urchin skimmer, 65lbs [acronym:7a5eabeab9="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:7a5eabeab9] xenia, mushrooms, wels. open brain, fungia radiata (orange), green eyed zoos flame angel, mated pair of false perc, 6-line, firefish 20gH electric yellow cichlid

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New lighting system	laurandavid	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	5	11-20-2007 09:16 PM
Catfish lighting system	physicsdude	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	2	07-31-2006 08:30 AM
fan on my lighting system?	guitarded	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	4	11-28-2004 11:43 PM
Ebay PC lighting system	canadian_eh	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	2	07-21-2004 12:31 AM
Please let me know if this lighting system is good	heerism	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	2	06-16-2004 10:41 PM

11-27-2005, 05:46 PM	#4
NewInTown Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 122	I second the electronic ballasts. you could look at hellolights.com they carry retro fit kits and every thing you need.