Newb Needs Help!

[alain_rmand]

I badly need help with my lighting. Here's the rundown, 55G planted aquarium with 48" AGA 32W x 2. I've read that to be successful in growing plants (ex: Micranthemum umbrosum-Baby Tears), I need atleast 2WPG among other things. My question is, is there a way in increasing my lighting without changing my fixture or housing? I mean, can I just change the 32W light with a higher wattage? What's the highest wattage I can possibly use on my AGA fixture? Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[I Love my fishies]

I badly need help with my lighting. Here's the rundown, 55G planted aquarium with 48" AGA 32W x 2. I've read that to be successful in growing plants (ex: Micranthemum umbrosum-Baby Tears), I need atleast 2WPG among other things. My question is, is there a way in increasing my lighting without changing my fixture or housing? I mean, can I just change the 32W light with a higher wattage? What's the highest wattage I can possibly use on my AGA fixture? Thanks in advance for all the help.

Hi I just set up my lights last night and the LFS said you could use the higher wattage lights so I got them but when I assembled it all and turned the lights on the lights would turn on then turn off straight away I am thinking the wattage must be too high for them (it could be a fault in the housing, but I think it prob it too high wattage)

So I am taking it back to the LFS whom sold it too me and see whats going on I'll let you know what happens

 

[LadyAphrodite]

I don't really have a specific answer, but most lamps/casing have a sticker somewhere that tells you the max wattage that can be used in that fixture. Go over that and you're likely to cause a short and possibly start a small fire.

I love my fishies: I think you were experiencing a short.

If your at the max that your fixture can accomodate, you either have to upgrade the ballast to utilize a higher wattage or buy a new fixture.

 

[I Love my fishies]

I don't really have a specific answer, but most lamps/casing have a sticker somewhere that tells you the max wattage that can be used in that fixture. Go over that and you're likely to cause a short and possibly start a small fire.

I love my fishies: I think you were experiencing a short.

If your at the max that your fixture can accomodate, you either have to upgrade the ballast to utilize a higher wattage or buy a new fixture.

Well thank god it was a short and not a small fire

Thanks for the info Lady Aphrodite

teaches me for listening to the LFS with out doing further research to confirm what they say to be true

 

[I Love my fishies]

UPDATE:

They had to change the bulbs because the wattage was too high for the unit there was a miss print in the suppliers brochure saying the unit (t-5) would take a higher wattage than stated so the it wasn't the LFS fault.

 

[lisa_perry75]

Wouldn't you just have to change the light starter for a higher wattage? By light starter I mean the tiny cylindrical white thing a bit like a fuse. Get a higher one of those and I'm sure you could accommadate a higher wattage... Not too sure on the ins and outs though...

 

[I Love my fishies]

hmmm not sure I will find out the brand and post a pic here and see what you think coz I would like to use a higher wattage.

 

[nry]

In short? No, or at least very unlikely.

A starter unit for the lights will only give out enough power for a set wattage of light tube. Put ina higher rated one and it will not have enough output from the starter to power on or at worst it will run at the lower wattage based on the starter units rating.

You have somewhere close to 1.5wpg which is a decent level - you may well be able to grow most things reasonably well though it may also depend if you are fertilising enough/correctly and whether you are able to consider using CO2.