Equipment - PC Lighting Questions

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PC Lighting Questions

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=54605
Printed Date: July 18 2026 at 11:09am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: PC Lighting Questions

Posted By: ksmart
Subject: PC Lighting Questions
Date Posted: February 25 2012 at 12:39am

Hey everyone I inherited a 55 gallon tank with a 48" current usa 4x65 watt fixture a few months ago. One of the actinic bulbs I thought had burned out so today I went to the lfs and picked up a new one that is 55 watts. Brought it home put it in and it was still having issues lighting up all the way. I tried putting the bulb in one of the other connections with the other ballast and it was hit or miss. I would have to disconnect the other bulb from the ballast for the 55 watt to fire up all the way. and even then it was hit or miss.

I figured not only are the bulbs crapping out but probably both ballasts as well as I noticed the other day when the lights came on one of the bulbs didnt come on for a few minutes besides the bulb that I thought was burned out. so only 2 bulbs fired up at first then the 3rd kicks on after a few minutes.

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Replies:

Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: February 25 2012 at 12:40am

So I took one of the ballasts out and installed a workhorse 7 ballast I had laying around and hooked it up and it seems to be powering one 65 watt daylight bulb and the 55 watt actinic just fine. Has anyone set it up this way? I know their websites advise it can run up to 3 55 watt pc bulbs but I wanted to put this on here to see if any of you have done this before. Although the site says that it can run 3 55 watt bulbs, Im wondering if I could have it run all 4 bulbs (2 55 watt and 2 65 watt) I also read that 55 watt and 65 watt bulbs are interchangeable? Thank you for any input!

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Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: February 25 2012 at 12:40am

oh and the reason why I went with the 55 watt bulb in the first place was because it was 20 bucks instead of 30+. Im thinking if the worhorse 7 can only handle 3 55 watt bulbs then I will wire 3 up to it and leave one bulb wired to the old current usa ballast...

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