DIYing PL lights need some help ... thx

[SuperRaY]

is the ballast for the PL light similar to FL ballast ? ===> can't seems to find info about this. Someone pls enlighten me thanks

[SuperRaY]

is the ballast for the PL light similar to FL ballast ? ===> can't seems to find info about this. Someone pls enlighten me thanks

[SuperRaY]

is the ballast for the PL light similar to FL ballast ? ===> can't seems to find info about this. Someone pls enlighten me thanks

[SuperRaY]

is the ballast for the PL light similar to FL ballast ? ===> can't seems to find info about this. Someone pls enlighten me thanks

[vinz]

yes, its the same.

[SuperRaY]

thx

[learner]

can somebody help me with all the acroymns?

like FL = ?
PL = ?
MH = metal halide?
etc etc etc

thanks

[vinz]

FL = fluorescent
PL = u-shaped fluorescent. a.k.a power compact (PC), compact fluorescent (CF) if you're looking at foreign forums.
MH = Metal Halide
MV = mercury Vapor

what else?

[learner]

oh thanks vinz!

what about halogen bulbs? are they suitable?

[SuperRaY]

they are just like filament bulbs not suitable for aquatic plants and it is very inefficient, produce lotsa heat

[sherchoo]

Halogen are definately out.

1. They emit too much heat
2. Light intensity very low
3. Very ineeficient due to loss thru heat
4. Too low colour temp (yellow tone)

[lorba]

hi sherchoo, just a qns here.

I intend to strip the entire lamp unit of my NISSO hooded tank and restall with better lightings into it. I want to reuse this hood which comes with a plastic water shield.
I am a complete electrical idiot..

1) Currently i have 2x24W PL and 1x18W FL, if i am changing to say 4x36W PL, i should be able to reuse what? Starters?
2) What are the things i need to buy? eBallast, bulbs and what else?
3) eBallast is the thing that sits between the wall power source and the bulbs?
4) 1 PL requires 1 eBallast by itself?5
5) Switches is additonal component?
6) What can be use to stick the unit to the hood? Any risk of melting and thus loosening of the unit?

Any gurus out there enjoy helping out with DIY lightings??
thank.

[juggler]

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On 11/1/2002 8:47:17 AM

hi sherchoo, just a qns here.

I intend to strip the entire lamp unit of my NISSO hooded tank and restall with better lightings into it. I want to reuse this hood which comes with a plastic water shield.
I am a complete electrical idiot..

1) Currently i have 2x24W PL and 1x18W FL, if i am changing to say 4x36W PL, i should be able to reuse what? Starters?
2) What are the things i need to buy? eBallast, bulbs and what else?
3) eBallast is the thing that sits between the wall power source and the bulbs?
4) 1 PL requires 1 eBallast by itself?5
5) Switches is additonal component?
6) What can be use to stick the unit to the hood? Any risk of melting and thus loosening of the unit?

Any gurus out there enjoy helping out with DIY lightings??
thank.
----------------

Starters can only be re-used if you use conventional ballast. But I suggest using eBallast because there are units which support 2x36W. eBallast is better because it does not generate a lot of heat like conventional ones. So it won't cause the hood to melt or become brittle over time.

So for 4x36WPL setup, what you need to buy are:
- 4 units of 36W PL lights
- 2 units of 2x36W eBallasts
- 8 units of C-clips to hold the tubes
- 4 units of light holders (or optionally use wire connectors)
- reflectors (if your current hood don't have them)
- other hardware like wires, nuts and bolts.

All these you can get from Nature Aquarium at reasonable prices and they will teach you how to DIY as well. Good luck.

[lorba]

thank bro! Will make a trip down and take a look!

[peterkoh]

Alternatively, bring the whole hood down to Nature and see if Chan can do it for you for a small fee. He should have all the parts you need. Yes, go for e-ballast. More ex but more power efficient and runs cooler, not to mention much lighter. 3 units of the the regular ballast for 24w or more tube will add quite a lot of weight to your hood.

[lorba]

tks, will see if i can bring it down
Just another qns to all light gurus out there.. my tank is around 90x45x45, i have riccia, xmas moss, java moss, crypto balansae, wendtii, bacopa, Didiplis diandra, apono sp. sunset hygro and Blyxa japonica.

Is 3 x 36W enough or should i have 4?

[benetay]

To reach 3w/gallon you need to have 4x36w to archieve it. You have a combinations of high and low light plants high light will trive under high light needless to say while low light plant are best hidden away from direct light.