Ballast question...do I have to run all 4 lights?

[Korrine]

Have a ballast for 4 -65 watt PC bulbs. Is it possible to only run 2 bulbs for a total of 130 watts? Basically just not plug in the sockets for the two bulbs. Or would that mess up the ballast? I'm new to this...sorry for the naive question :o

[Korrine]

since no one has answered I'll assume it's a dumb question and I don't have to have all 4 running. It's probably as simple as not hooking up to the spot where the other 2 plug in, right?!

Basically i'd like to keep a crocea and was told that 260 watts of PC lights would be to much over a 29g tank. Was going to try using half of the ballast's bulbs so I'd have 130 watts instead..

[RyanSweatt2004]

I've had many clams and in my experiance the more light the beter. I would use all four bulbs if I were you. It will benifit any photosynthetic corals you may have as well.

[Korrine]

I asked drsfoster/smith live aquaria in a PM on RC and they said that using all 4 bulbs for 260 watts on a 29g 18" high tank would be to much light for a crocea clam that was sitting high on the rockwork?

[Toddrtrex]

I am going to have to disagree about that statement --- that it would be too much light for a Crocea in a 29 in the rock work. What PC bulbs do you have? 10,000K?, Actinic, 50/50, etc.

Back when I had my 29 set up, I had my Crocea under a 250 MH fixture. While the is the same wattage as your 4 bulbs, the PAR was higher, which is what matters.

[Korrine]

oh ok. It will be 130w Actinic and 130w 10k

[Toddrtrex]

Then I would for sure use all 4. And to be honest, I would be wary about trying a clam in that tank, I don't feel that it will get enough light. Going to have to have it pretty high up, with will limit the viewing angles, which is important when looking at clams.

[Korrine]

ok. I'm so frustrated with this whole lighting thing. I have limited space (9") in which to put lights. I've thought about a T5 fixture...4 bulb 96w T5's, but then I have to take them down to work in the tank. I guess I could put mulitple hooks to hang them in different spots so when I work in the tank i can still have some lights over the top.

Another option I've been considering are clip on 150w DE metal hallides. I'd be able to just loosen the screw and slide it over, retighten the screw and I still have light over the tank.

It will take awhile for me to save up for which ever setup I go with, but then that gives me time to ponder....I guess :rolleye1:

So what do you think Toddrtrex? Thanks :)

[Toddrtrex]

One option would be getting a used SunPod, 30" which would fit over a 29. The SunPods (( both the 150 and 250 versions are discoed, but still might be able to find them in the selling section or Ebay. Back when I had my 29 I had the 250 SunPod over it, it is narrow enough that it was easy to work on the tank with it in place -- I used the legs.

As for T5's a 4 bulb fixture would work nicely, but moving the fixture to work on the tank might be a pain in the butt. Not sure that I trust the clip on fixtures, but that is just me.

This is an old and bad picture, but shows you what the SunPod (( from Current )) fixture looks like.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/29gal4_4crop.jpg

[Korrine]

hey thanks. I'll go look up and see of I can find a sunpod for dimension information. I was thinking along the lines of a 14k+ bulb if I went w/a single halide. I like the bluer look.

[Toddrtrex]

I have one over my 33 cube, so I can give you the dimensions, the only difference is the length, which would be 30 in your case.

It is 8 1/4" front to back. 4 inches high -- 8.5" with the legs.

[Korrine]

How high do you think the legs are? It sits 4.5" high w/out legs and I'm assuming that the legs won't be more than 4" right? Again I only have 9" of clearance....which is a pita.

[Toddrtrex]

Some how I measured wrong. The total height (( with legs )) is 6.5 inches. The legs are about 2.25 inches. Later tonight I can take some pictures of mine, mainly close ups of the legs, if you need.

[Korrine]

That's alright. there are pictures of them on the net. Pics of underside and sides already. Think I'll plan on one of these.

Thanks :)

[Toddrtrex]

Sure thing.

I really liked the one I had over my 29 (( sold it when I sold the tank )) and really pleased with the one on my cube. Only thing to note, the 150 watt ones have an internal ballast for the MH, whereas the 250 watt one has an external ballast.