Anybody use T-5HO in a Coralife Freshwater Aqualight

[Just Prince]

I have to of these 30" lights http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products/freshwater-aqualight-t5-series---double-linear-strip.php over my 56g tank. One needs new bulbs soon. It has two 18W T-5NO bulbs in it. Can I upgrade to T-5HO's. I checked the owners manual and it didn't mention wattage. I called Coralife and the tech said I should probably stick with what is in it but he seemed unsure. What would be the drawbacks to upgrading to higher wattage bulbs?

[Sploke]

you wouldn't get any more light out of the bulbs, as the ballast is what drives the output, not the bulb itself. Not really anything to be gained.

[gmh]

No point in spending more cash on HO T5s. The normal output will put out the same wattage with that ballast. In fact I am not certain an HO light would even work with it.

[zzyzx85]

I'm thinking the NO ballast won't be able to "drive" the HO bulbs.

[Just Prince]

How about higher wattage bulbs?

[zzyzx85]

From what I understand about fluorescent lights, the ballast is designed to put out only so many watts at a high voltage and the bulbs work with a minimum wattage in order for the gasses inside to "energize." The length of the bulb determines the voltage.

You can overdrive, but you can't under-drive (like in your situation), fluorescent bulbs. So in your situation, the HO bulbs would either flicker or be very dim. The voltage might be correct, but there won't be enough wattage to get it running.

Anyone else w/ more experience in fluorescent lighting, please chime in now :). I only know what I've read up on and what I've experienced.

[Mgamer20o0]

putting higher watt bulbs wont give you more light. sploke hit it on the head.