Hagen Glomat Double Starter Units...

[Ami]

Hi guys

I'm trying to find of last minute xmas prezzies for me, seeing as I've once again left it to the last minute to make any suggestions to my hubbie and am in danger of getting something useless!

I still haven't got around to buying better starter units and lights (holidays keep taking up all my money! ), so was going to make some suggestions along those lines.

My tank is 30" long so can't cope with a 30" tube and so it's 4x 24" 18 watts for me (dennerle and arcadia). I'm leaning towards the Hagen Glomat Double Starter units as Aquatics Online have them at 20.99, regardless of size.

But can I use a 40 watt unit with 18" tubes, seeing as I might as well get the biggest cos you never know when you get a longing for a larger tank? )

Any help would be appreciated!

Merry Xmas all

Ami

 

[George Farmer]

That should work fine. I'm fairly certain the 40W is just the max. output. The actual output should be dictated by the tube size so 2 x 18W in your case - even with a 2 x 40W unit.

 

[The-Wolf]

you can have a bigger ballast unit with smaller tubes,
but you can't have bigger tubes with a smaller unit.

 

[Ami]

Thanks guys, didn't want to risk blowing something up!

Finally picked up a nutrafin unit today, only one though, and it's for my xmas so I'm not allowed to have it until we get back from Scotland. Boo!

George, you suggested months ago that I would need 2 for my tank and that I should get these up and running before we sort out the lights, will starting one unit off and then adding the other in the New Year allow the plants to get in some good growth, or would it not make any difference?

Off to have my indian now!

Ami

 

[George Farmer]

George, you suggested months ago that I would need 2 for my tank and that I should get these up and running before we sort out the lights, will starting one unit off and then adding the other in the New Year allow the plants to get in some good growth, or would it not make any difference?

One unit will be better than none. Read this thread to get the most out of your Nutrafins - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101380&hl=

 

[daza]

NO!

If you use a bigger ballast with a smaller tube then you will be over-driving the tube, and it's life will certainly be reduced and it may burn out / explode...

See this thread.

This is what I said there...

"Fluorescent lamps are negative-resistance, which means that as more current flows through them, the resistance of the lamp falls and allows even more current to flow (a run-away effect).

This is what a ballast is for; to limit that current. If you select a higher rated ballast, then that current-limiting point will be set higher (for a higher rated tube) and will therefore not limit the current to the lower rated tube until it is drawing as much current as the higher rated tube would, by which point it might have burnt out (or exploded) through overdriving. I guess the effect will depend on how big the difference between the ballast and tube ratings.

There are ballasts that can accomodate a selection of different lamps but these would be designed to do that by incorporating electronic current sensing, etc. I think they call these ones adaptable/universal ballasts.

So I would check the manufacturers description because I doubt that many aquarium ballasts are universal (to save cost).

Most electronic equipment (i.e. not negative-resistance) will draw as much current as it needs to operate and not 'run-away'. So a lower rated piece of normal equipment can be run from a higher [current] rated power supply. But a ballast is a regulator, not a power supply..."

 

[George Farmer]

NO!

If you use a bigger ballast with a smaller tube then you will be over-driving the tube, and it's life will certainly be reduced and it may burn out / explode...

See this thread.

This is what I said there...

"Fluorescent lamps are negative-resistance, which means that as more current flows through them, the resistance of the lamp falls and allows even more current to flow (a run-away effect).

This is what a ballast is for; to limit that current. If you select a higher rated ballast, then that current-limiting point will be set higher (for a higher rated tube) and will therefore not limit the current to the lower rated tube until it is drawing as much current as the higher rated tube would, by which point it might have burnt out (or exploded) through overdriving. I guess the effect will depend on how big the difference between the ballast and tube ratings.

There are ballasts that can accomodate a selection of different lamps but these would be designed to do that by incorporating electronic current sensing, etc. I think they call these ones adaptable/universal ballasts.

So I would check the manufacturers description because I doubt that many aquarium ballasts are universal (to save cost).

Most electronic equipment (i.e. not negative-resistance) will draw as much current as it needs to operate and not 'run-away'. So a lower rated piece of normal equipment can be run from a higher [current] rated power supply. But a ballast is a regulator, not a power supply..."

Thanks for clearing that up. Well worth noting.

 

[RYO]

Why not try these - http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z497155.asp
I use 2x 36w tubes in my 60l and am pretty happy with then (mind they are a bit of a pig to fit)

 

[daza]

No problem. It is also worth noting that some people deliberately over-drive fluorescent tubes. I'm not sure exactly what they do and what precautions they take though.

Why not try these - http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z497155.asp
I use 2x 36w tubes in my 60l and am pretty happy with then (mind they are a bit of a pig to fit)

Those are the ones I use too. A 24W and a 36W. I find them okay, especially for the price (compared to say Arcadia T5's). Sometimes the light goes off with a slight knock to the connector, but if the wires are tied up securely then it doesn't happen too often.

Try Surrey Pet Supplies though, they are cheaper. I got mine from there and delivery/service was okay.

 

[Ami]

Happy New Year Guys!

Daza - thanks for the PM telling me about your post here. I'm not around much so it was a good reminder to come check! Will definitely not be using a higher setting starter unit than tubes in that case as I can't afford to replace them even more than normal!

RYO - Those new T5 lights sound like the excellent solution to my space problem and pretty good prices too. Would be interested to know how you and Daza have both got on with them and what combinations you use.

I had been planning on using 2 x Dennerle Special Plant combined with 2 x Arcadia FW, but was not entirely sure I'd manage it because they'd take up so much space inside the hood of the tank!

I was also considering a moonlight tube of some sort but hadn't yet looked into that. My aim was to ensure that the fish had a slow light change rather than the current off or on that they have!

If I get the Interpet T5 tubes etc instead (which looks likely as they're the much better option space and cost wise), would the following combination of lights be okay for my planted FW community tank?

1 x Interpet Daylight Plus T5 Power Compact Lamps - 55w
1 x Interpet Beauty Light T5 Power Compact Lamps - 55w
1 x Interpet Blue Moon T5 Power Compact Lamps - 55w

I know I need at least 2 watts per gallon for my plant growth, so that's 58w minimum for my tank. Would the combination above be overkill and should I consider dropping one of the daytime tubes?

Oh god, that leads me to yet another question! Could I use the moonlight tube during my lighting break (I'm running a 4-4-4 at the mo to keep the algae down as the tank has quite low lighting and slow plant growth at the mo) or would that cos any problems?

Sorry for the 9 million questions I'm always asking - I have to save them up for whenever I can get custody of the pc!

Cheers guys,
Ami

One unit will be better than none. Read this thread to get the most out of your Nutrafins - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101380&hl=

Cheers George - I've read through that before, but didn't have the units at the time so will read back through and take notes!

Was planning on setting up my one lonely unit tomorrow to get the plants a chance before I finally get around to lights. It's frustrating when you're on a tight budget as you have to wait so long before doing everything!

Will let you know how I get on.



Ami