Options to increase lighting wattage?

[Giant]

Hi,

How does one increasing their lighting wattage?

I am using a 2 X Ocean Free WJ light set 90cm x 27watt x 2 pl tubes for a 3.5 feet tank, which works out to 108 watts right?
Bought from Qianhu, which they told me was enough after I told them the dimensions of my tank.

But...... after using the tank calc here, I require 146 watt.

Looks like I'm short of 40 watt.
Cos, my plants though some seem to be growing, but they don't seem to be producing O2, unlike some tanks I've come across.

What are the options for me to increase the wattage?
Do I have to buy a new light set?
Or can I just change some of the tubes?

Appreciate any assistance on this.

[Simon]

[quote:973cd9d492="Giant"]Hi,

How does one increasing their lighting wattage?

I am using a 2 X Ocean Free WJ light set 90cm x 27watt x 2 pl tubes for a 3.5 feet tank, which works out to 108 watts right?
Bought from Qianhu, which they told me was enough after I told them the dimensions of my tank.

But...... after using the tank calc here, I require 146 watt.

Looks like I'm short of 40 watt.
Cos, my plants though some seem to be growing, but they don't seem to be producing O2, unlike some tanks I've come across.

What are the options for me to increase the wattage?
Do I have to buy a new light set?
Or can I just change some of the tubes?

Appreciate any assistance on this.[/quote:973cd9d492]

how did you come up with 108watts? you have 2 sets of 2x36watts lightset? if so, then you have 144watts in total.

as for bubbling, you should look like the water condition, though lighting is one of the factor

[Giant]

Hi Simon,

Er...

I'm using this light set which has 2 x 27w pl tubes.
So 2 of this would mean I have a total of 4 tubes.
So 4 x 27watt = 108 watt, is that how its done?
Hope I did not screw up in my calculations.

[Simon]

[quote:bbca3c9c7b="Giant"]Hi Simon,

Er...

I'm using this light set which has 2 x 27w pl tubes.
So 2 of this would mean I have a total of 4 tubes.
So 4 x 27watt = 108 watt, is that how its done?
Hope I did not screw up in my calculations.[/quote:bbca3c9c7b]

oops, my apologise.. didnt know there is 27watts tube , anyway, you might want to change the ballast to support a higher wattage tube

[Giant]

AH, ok, read something about ballast some here.

Will go & check that out.

Then, I should be able to change to a higher tube once I get that right?

thanks

[rijac]

depending on the depth and width of the tank you should also consider intensity versus total wattage.. i.e 3X55 W and 4X36 W is closely from a WPG perspective, but the 3X55 is better then then 4X36 unless your tank is wide but not deep...

my personal opinion based on something i read long time ago but cannot remember where..

[Giant]

Am also considering the option to buy a clip on lighting to make up the shortfall.

Any views on that?

[tawauboy]

clip on lighting may help but will definately clutter your tank top. just make sure that it does notblock your original lightings.
changing the ballast should be the best option. if you know the connections, you can diy. else get some one who knows.

[Giant]

Thanks for all your advise.

So anyone here know how to change the ballast?
hehe.

Keen on getting some instructions.

[tawauboy]

if you do not know electricity, i would advise you not to try. electricity kills. however if you insists.....
1) open your light set to study the arrangement and maximum allowable size of ballast
2) purchase the replacement ballast
3) remove and replace ballast
4) wire up according to the schematic given on the ballast
5) you are done

sounds simple?
alternative, check with nature aquarium. they should be able to change the ballast for you.

[Giant]

Will unplug open up & take a look see.
Hey I never insist hor, I don't want to play play here. hehe.

Cool so I can bring over to NA then.

Thanks for the pointers