Metal Halide Questions

[zhewitt04]

First off tank dimensions, and info
SPS, LPS, RBTA few softies (zoas shrooms)
48 x 36 x 12 (frag tank I use for a display I love the shorter look.)

Ok I am fairly new to the hobby. I have only bought t5s in the past and never used any other form of lighting (except a pc on a sump). I have never used and have no idea what i am doing with MH.

I did buy a 2x 175W MH system used. One of the ballast was bad so I have to send it to Icecap, but I have a 400 watt magnetic ballest in our companys warehouse (high bay light not a fish lihgt). I was curious if I could use this to power my smaller bulb? If not, is it safe/possible to put a bulb for a reef tank in this paricular ballast?

If I cannot use the larger ballast with a smaller wattage bulb then would I be better off to use the 400 watt ballast on my tank rather than the two smaller 175 watt.

Sorry if I confused you with all this. But the basic questions are

-Can you use a larger wattage ballast and smaller watt bulb. (400 watt ballast with 175 watt bulb)
-Can a high bay light MH be used for a reef light (obviusly changing the bulb)
-Magnetic ballast pros and cons to a elctronic.
-What is better two smaller bulbs (175w) or one big one (400w) for my tank?
-Please not that my tank is only 12 inches deep.
Thanks for all the input.

 

[W8lifts]

What is the amp output of the ballast?

 

[W8lifts]

Not worried about the watt but the amp output could mean the diference between fine and fire...any electrical engineers please go indepth

 

[andyrm66]

Dont mix different wattage bulbs and ballasts. 175 watt should be good for 12"

 

[W8lifts]

Thats like saying dont put a 35 watt bulb in a 65 watt lamp..Which you can do

 

[W8lifts]

double post

 

[W8lifts]

If the voltage is higher you will create more heat which will lower the resistance and draw more amps causing what we call a thermal runaway (fire) I think. Anyone can confirm this? It has been a few years since I learned electrical theory.

 

[zhewitt04]

I could not find anything out about it. On the internet so I jsut took a picture of the sticker. I have no idea what amp it is running.

 

[W8lifts]

voltage coming out is 320 Volts. Input is 120 volts. I cant tell but it says 1.5 amps which is extremly high for the output the glare is killer on the pic you just took

 

[W8lifts]

I have seen the wrong light on a aircraft ballast cause an instant fire before and honestly for you saftey I would not risk it, as the voltage is so high and the amps appear extremly high. If it was a smaller ballast it would be perfect.

 

[zhewitt04]

Sorry, so these cannot be used?

 

[zhewitt04]

Can i use them with a 400 watt bulb though?

 

[zhewitt04]

Can they be wired up to 110? They are 220 now.

 

[W8lifts]

You have now asked questions that I honestly dont know as I am only a system engineer and dont want to mislead you.

 

[RA]

Just FYI IceCap is no longer in business.

 

[Richard Reefer]

I would not risk using the larger ballest for something it is not designed for, personally the thought of burning down my house just it worth it.

On that note you will get much better coverage on that size tank with the two smaller bulbs compared to the single larger bulb.

 

[alton]

Cap off the 220 volt tap and use the 120v Tap but you must use a 400 watt lamp. Get another 175 watt ballast asap

 

[zhewitt04]

Ok sticking to the 175. Thanks