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07-16-2005, 01:57 AM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Corvallis
Posts: 351
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Can I run any temp MH bulb with ballast
Is it true? Can I run any temp. MH bulb with any ballast. Implying I use the same wattage ballast for the same wattage bulb. Or do I need a special ballast to run a 20k bulb instead of a 10k? Just wondering if some guy is full of shi*.
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07-16-2005, 02:01 AM
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#2
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DUDE
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 891
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It depends
You dont necessarily need a different ballast for temps. You need different ballasts when dealing with bulbs that either need a probe, pulse, or electronic ballast to start them and run them properly. Anyway im no expert but thats what i know! Later Ryan
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07-16-2005, 02:14 AM
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#3
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Coral Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Newberg
Posts: 3,990
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Radiums need Pulse Start for all wattages... Ushios and Radiums in the 400w versions are supposed to be used with Pulse start... As well as Ushio in the 175w version... No granted people have ran them on standard ballasts just fine Its really a hit and miss...
Xm bulbs are supposed to be ran only on Probe start... and radiums on Pulse Start... And HQI ballasts should only run DE bulbs but well people do differently LOL...
HTH<
James
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07-16-2005, 02:31 AM
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#4
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Albany,Oregon
Posts: 423
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Palani, this link should help out . it will tell you which ballast with what bulb(manufacture/kelvin). i.e. hamilton 10k,venture 14k,radium 20k,etc...
Reynaldo
http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.c...al-halide-ansi
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07-16-2005, 02:36 AM
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#5
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Coral Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Newberg
Posts: 3,990
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Nice Link.. Gotta bookmark that $#@%
James
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07-16-2005, 06:37 AM
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#6
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 23,968
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Good one Reefin!
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07-16-2005, 10:47 AM
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#7
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Albany,Oregon
Posts: 423
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hey thanks...lol
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07-17-2005, 11:46 AM
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#8
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Waves Marine & Reef
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tigard OR
Posts: 1,733
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standard magnetic ballast is not a probe start correct?
*edit* nevermind, I saw the chart at the bottom
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07-17-2005, 11:56 AM
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#9
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Albany,Oregon
Posts: 423
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yes its the probe start
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07-17-2005, 03:24 PM
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#10
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Professor Chaos
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Arkham Asylum
Posts: 9,684
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One thing to remember... Sometimes when running a deep ocean coral tank you will need a bulb greater than 20k. some of the standard ballasts cannot handle higgher than that. if you go higher that 20 then it's a good ideat to contact the manufacturer. I found this out while talking to a canadian company.
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 I mix twinkies and ding dongs all the time, in Europe they call it a Dinky -- Homer Simpson
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07-18-2005, 02:52 AM
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#11
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Corvallis
Posts: 351
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So to go with a higher temp. (bluer color I'm guessing), you need a "bigger" ballast?
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07-18-2005, 10:28 PM
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#12
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Waves Marine & Reef
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tigard OR
Posts: 1,733
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no,, you can easily go upto 20K with a "Standard" ballast, I dont know why you would want to go over that.
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07-19-2005, 11:51 AM
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#13
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Eugene
Posts: 1,317
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If you go with an electronic ballast you can run any bulb as long as the wattages match. I went with an eballast, runs cooler, less electricity, and no more worrying if the next bulb will work with it!
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07-19-2005, 01:09 PM
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#14
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Corvallis
Posts: 351
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I heard that Upscales is running bulbs with 50k. Well I heard that from a friend that asked them what type of bulbs they use.
Miles, aren't those electronic ballasts spendy? Just what I heard. (again LOL).
I got to stop with this gossip.
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07-19-2005, 01:41 PM
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#15
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Eugene
Posts: 1,317
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I don't think they run a 50k, i haven't even seen a 50k.
the eballasts aren't too bad, i paid 110 shipped for mine
http://www.hellolights.com/aroelba2meha.html |
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