replace or upgrade??? Help

[chrismhaase]

Well I woke up this morning to see that the actinic lights were not on. so I took out my trusty tick tracer, this shows if an electrical current is going through the line. I found out that there was a current to the ballast and of course nothing from the ballast. It is about 2 years old so I am thinking that it is shot.

I have a 55 gallon reef with the following lights; a 250 20k halide, 2 - 65 watt 10k bulbs, and 2 - dead 65 watt actinics.
Producing about 9.3 watts per gallon.

So to replace the actinics should I; 1) replace the PC ballast or 2) upgrade to VHOs?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated

 

[Bill and Elaine]

I personally prefer VHO's I have 4x110w running on my 110g tank.......the VHO's I have use to be on my first 55g tank......when I move up I just added 2x250w MH......The VHO's have much better light out put than power compacts

 

[chrismhaase]

how long are they? I have a standard sized 55g, it is 48" long. So would I buy a 48" bulb? Or is it shorter so you can add the end caps? Thanks

 

[kakan]

I would go whith the 46.5" bulbs. a 48" bulb with end caps is about 48.75 "

HTH
Kakan