Cheap & Easy DIY Overdriven NO Flourescents

RobD · 05-21-2005, 08:16 AM

I just picked up 4 of thoese 48" Home Depot lights. They all have the good SL15 ballast in them. The thing I noticed with them is that they fit my Perfecto hood, which has two light fixture positions. So I just need to paint them black.

So my question is, when running the F32T8 bulbs (not the T12), is the wattage 32 watts, or do you count them as 40 watts when doing the wpg figure? I've seen some posts on other message boards that says they put out just as much light as a T12. I mean:

Standard T8: 4x32W=128W/90g = 1.4wpg
Standard T12: 4x40W=160W/90g = 1.7wpg

But when I do the 2X ODNO, it becomes:
2XODNO T8: 4x32Wx1.5=192W/90g = 2.1wpg
2XODNO T12: 4x40Wx1.5=240W/90g = 2.7wpg

I'm not looking into doing any high-light plants, nor do I want to get into CO2 at this point. So how do I calculate a T8 for wpg, and should I even bother doing ODNO at this point? I'll probably keep the ballasts just so that I have them if I ever do need them. Should I avoid going into the 2.? wpg arena.

Lucubrate · 05-24-2005, 01:13 PM

From what I understand, the WPG rule is such a rough measure that yes, since it is a 4 foot bulb, the T8 still counts as 40 watts.

In actuallity, it is quite possible for the T8 bulb to be contributing more usable light than a T12. But that depends on the exact T8 and T12 bulbs you are comparing, and since the WPG rule doesn't really take that into account... just say it is 40W.

RobD · 05-25-2005, 07:52 AM

Then I'll stick with the T8 bulbs in a standard configuration. That will provide 1.7wpg and keep me from having to switch to pumping in CO2. If I ever want to overdrive, I'll have the ballasts to do it.

sparkydave · 05-25-2005, 08:16 AM

The screw in fluorescents DO have ballasts. They are built into the base, and sealed in epoxy, so the chances of modifying them are pretty slim.
-Dave

Toam · 12-20-2005, 09:07 AM

running multiple lights of the same wattage doesn't increase anything does it? for example, two 20 watt bulbs, that'll simply increase where the light reaches? or would it actually help boost the wattage?

BigDaddy420 · 12-20-2005, 09:39 AM

yes it boosts your total wattage from 20 to 40

EvilWays · 03-18-2009, 03:50 AM

does pumping 80 watts into 40 watt bulbs really mean they are putting out more? is the 40 watt label on the bulb what they are meant to be run at or a max for the bulb?do you have anyway of testing to see if putting the extra wattage into the bulbs really does anything?

05-21-2005, 08:16 AM	#51
RobD Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI Posts: 78	I just picked up 4 of thoese 48" Home Depot lights. They all have the good SL15 ballast in them. The thing I noticed with them is that they fit my Perfecto hood, which has two light fixture positions. So I just need to paint them black. So my question is, when running the F32T8 bulbs (not the T12), is the wattage 32 watts, or do you count them as 40 watts when doing the wpg figure? I've seen some posts on other message boards that says they put out just as much light as a T12. I mean: Standard T8: 4x32W=128W/90g = 1.4wpg Standard T12: 4x40W=160W/90g = 1.7wpg But when I do the 2X ODNO, it becomes: 2XODNO T8: 4x32Wx1.5=192W/90g = 2.1wpg 2XODNO T12: 4x40Wx1.5=240W/90g = 2.7wpg I'm not looking into doing any high-light plants, nor do I want to get into CO2 at this point. So how do I calculate a T8 for wpg, and should I even bother doing ODNO at this point? I'll probably keep the ballasts just so that I have them if I ever do need them. Should I avoid going into the 2.? wpg arena. __________________ 90 Gallon Tank 5 Zebra Danios, 5 Jullii Corydoras, 3 German Blue Ram 5 Harlequin Rasbora, 11 Neon Tetras, 2 Large Otocinclus 1 Pearl Gourami Eheim 2026 Canister, Hydor 300W Inline Heater

05-25-2005, 07:52 AM	#53
RobD Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI Posts: 78	Then I'll stick with the T8 bulbs in a standard configuration. That will provide 1.7wpg and keep me from having to switch to pumping in CO2. If I ever want to overdrive, I'll have the ballasts to do it. __________________ 90 Gallon Tank 5 Zebra Danios, 5 Jullii Corydoras, 3 German Blue Ram 5 Harlequin Rasbora, 11 Neon Tetras, 2 Large Otocinclus 1 Pearl Gourami Eheim 2026 Canister, Hydor 300W Inline Heater

05-25-2005, 08:16 AM	#54
sparkydave Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 58	The screw in fluorescents DO have ballasts. They are built into the base, and sealed in epoxy, so the chances of modifying them are pretty slim. -Dave __________________ 3 Gallon Eclipse -1 Opaline Gourami 12 Gallon Eclipse -1 Gold Gourami 48 Gallon Hex 4 Lamp Eye Tetras 3 Emerald Corydoras

12-20-2005, 09:07 AM	#55
Toam Medium Fish Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grove, Oklahoma Posts: 547	running multiple lights of the same wattage doesn't increase anything does it? for example, two 20 watt bulbs, that'll simply increase where the light reaches? or would it actually help boost the wattage? __________________ Do I got tanks? Yup Do they got fish in them? Yup

12-20-2005, 09:39 AM	#56
BigDaddy420 Medium Fish Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: bellaire, ohio Posts: 410	yes it boosts your total wattage from 20 to 40 __________________ Big Daddy 55 Gallon 1- Albino Tiger Oscar, 2- pl*cos 1 - Dinosaur Eel(Bichir). small convict

05-24-2005, 01:13 PM	#52
Lucubrate Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 15	From what I understand, the WPG rule is such a rough measure that yes, since it is a 4 foot bulb, the T8 still counts as 40 watts. In actuallity, it is quite possible for the T8 bulb to be contributing more usable light than a T12. But that depends on the exact T8 and T12 bulbs you are comparing, and since the WPG rule doesn't really take that into account... just say it is 40W.

03-18-2009, 03:50 AM	#57
EvilWays Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 13	does pumping 80 watts into 40 watt bulbs really mean they are putting out more? is the 40 watt label on the bulb what they are meant to be run at or a max for the bulb?do you have anyway of testing to see if putting the extra wattage into the bulbs really does anything? __________________ I never drink Water because of the disgusting things fish do in it! currently: 55 gal planted 2 rainbows, 3 sunburst platys, 2 black mollies, 1 pleco, 1 clown knife, 3 chinese sucker cats, 1 "WTF IS THAT" fish... 5 gal nano reef 10lbs liverock 8 1/2 lbs live sand 2 damsels ALMOST DONE CYCLING!!!! past: 180 gal reef (R.I.P....Stupid me for going on vacation and picking the WONG friend to care for it)