Icecaps ballast users please help me...

[ek9vboi]

I recently got my VHO set up, which consist of 4 x 24" bulbs. Everything plugs up and works WITH the exception of if one bulb is not plugged in then the rest will not stay on, they simply all turn off.

My experience with lighting (installed and fixed many ballast and so on commercially) I find it odd that it does this. Usually when one bulb is out, the others will stay on.

Is this the way the ballast is designed and does this happen to you guys (Icecaps florescent users)?

I ask this because I am planning to put on the hood tomorrow or within the next week and I would rather start off with 2 bulbs and move my way up to 4 bulbs eventually.

If I have to use all 4 bulbs at once, how would you recommend me to acclimate my corals to the lighting? I am trying to avoid the screen mesh thing.

 

[jmp998]

This is normal function for the Icecap ballasts, if one bulb comes unplugged all go off. It is possible to wire fewer bulbs, see the instructions with the ballast or at http://209.204.76.225/pdf/VHObrochure.pdf

Maybe try raising the lights up higher if possible and using a shorter photoperiod, otherwise screen mesh may be easiest.

Edit: Fixed link

 

[ek9vboi]

I was thinking about rewiring them, but its too much of a headache for me. I guess I will just shorten the photoperiod for now.