can I wire 2 halides in series with 1 ballast?

[NALCOMIS]

Say there was a 500 watt metal halide ballast. could 2 250 watt bulbs be wires in series or parallel to 1 ballast? Or 1 400w ballast with 2 250watt bulbs. Just a question, im not really going to do it.

 

[simon.007]

To my understanding the ballast and MH bulbs are wired one to one. There are dual 250's or 400's but they are specifically made for this purpose. I recommend you get one 250W double ended and that should be good for you 65G. Keep your light hungry sps under the lights about 4 - 6" and your lps and other corals on the sides. Good Luck. If interested I have an extra DYI 250 single ended MH capacitor and transformer, no reflector or bulb for $100? and lots of SPS, montis, mushrooms, branching hammer, zoos, ......


Simon

 

[NALCOMIS]

Thanks Simon.007,

I was more considering the possibility of wiring 2 bulbs to 1 ballast and was curious to see if anyone has done this with any success.

 

[rockindacheeks]

it cannot be done. but you could buy a dual ballast which is actually 2 seperate ballasts in one box.

 

[818]

You can, but you need to be one hell of a DIY person.

A guy on the DIY thread connected 2-150's to a 400w ballast.

Though he had to rewire almost everything. Pretty intense stuff, but it can be done.

Just take everyones else's advice and you should be good.

 

[NALCOMIS]

Thanks sam, I just wanted to know if it could be done.

sam