CoralLife 65 watt Ballast Run 36 watt light?

[guntercb]

Hello,

I have 4 Corallife 65 watt compact fluorescent elecric ballasts. Can these be used to light a 24 watt compact fluorescent light bulb?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[guntercb]

^

 

[nebraskareef]

yes,more than likely, but it will overdrive the bulb.

 

[guntercb]

Nebraskareef,

Thanks.

To give more info on my question, someone gave me an old AquaLife 48" light that had 4 - 65 Watt compact flourescents in it. But the unit did not work. I took the unit apart and the ballast work so I want to find a use for them; however, I don't have a need for a 65 watt bulb, but I do have a 10 gallon and if I can light a 24 watt (18" long) bulb with it I can use it over my 10 gallon.

The other option is to buy a 20 gallon and just light it with 24" 65 watt pc. (-: But I already have the 10 gallon and money is tight right now.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[nebraskareef]

In that case, I would probably buy the cheapest 24w lamps you can. My best guess, would be that the active lifespan of the bulb would probably be cut in half.

it may acctually cost you MORE money to end up running them this way.

If it were me, I would use the existing 65w bulbs, and get a 15g tank, it's going to be 24" long and should cost around $30.

 

[guntercb]

Nebraskareef,

I didn't even think of a 15 gallon tank. That probuably work the best.

Thanks,
Chris