New Lights

[Daigle107]

So I've purchased a lighting fixture that I am planning on using to supply my new 29 gallon aquarium with light, I found on the fixture itself a list of lights and their ratings in terms of watts, they list 14, 21 and 28 watts, but have no listing higher than these, is it unsafe to then use 2 39 watt bulbs in this setup totaling 78 watts total for the aquarium? I have no idea how the whole lighting thing works so any input is more than I know. Thanks guys.

Justin

 

[Mikaila31]

it would not light the 39 watt bulbs if it is a fluorescent fixture. Ballasts are only put out enough power to light the sizes they are rated for. A 39 watt bulb would most likely not even fit to begin with. If it did it would probably just flicker constantly. If it did manage to light it would still be under powered and not really supplying 39 watts anyway.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to TFF Daigle.
As Mikaila said, the ballast in your fixture has specific ratings and that is all it can handle. If you are using straight tubes, you will also note that each length of fluorescent tube comes in only one wattage. There may be several different bulbs offered in that length but all will have the same wattage and about the same light intensity output. If you truly want to change the lighting on your tank, it will mean changing ballasts and installing something other than a standard straight tube in your fixture. I have done such MODs in the US using light kits from AHSupply. They send out a kit that has a ballast, a reflector, connectors for compact fluorescent lamps, vent covers for the hood ends and the lamps themselves. The end result is that I have modified light strips like this one to take much higher light output lamps than the original equipment that came installed in them.
The newly modified light strip in place.

A peak under the hood as it were.

 

[Daigle107]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've decided to return the fixture I bought, and I ordered this http/www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18369/si1383022/cl0/coralifefreshwateraqualightdeluxesingle30strip online and it seems to be sufficient for my needs. It had very good reviews on the site. On a more exciting note.. my bulbs that I put in my tank have started growing. So hopefully the new light gets here soon...

 

[OldMan47]

That looks like a nice rig you have ordered. If you want a fully assembled fixture, I have really liked the ones I found here.