Must Wattage Limit of Hoods be followed?

[Mulla]

Hi all,

I was given a 4 foot hood as a present. There was a sticker there saying 40W and I think it's a 48" T12??? Since according to this site Here (http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/fluorescent) , 48" = 40W

Now I was wondering if there's going to be any problem if I went out and get a more powerful bulb and stick it in there? Or should I stick with the recommended 40W?


Thanks.

[RTR]

Most standard 40W T12 strips have simple ballasts designed for that size and type tube. If you try to substitute an HO or VHO tube it either or both will not fit or will not fire. If you try for a power compact fluorescent, it will not fit. You can retrofit the strip with PCs (as from ahsupply.com), but this require rebuilding the unit with the needed ballasts, tube holders, and tubes.

Fluorescent tubes, their holders and their ballasts are integrated systems. You cannot change one part without changing the others.

[125gJoe]

Going with some kind of retro fit, it might be wise to install a small fan at one end....

[Mulla]

(In Dr. Evil's voice)... Riiiiight.....

So I'm pretty much stuck with that unit unless I spend a bit of money modding it.

Let me get one point straight. So for a 48" T12 the ONLY avaliable wattage would be 40W correct?

<sigh>... Ohwell but thank you all for letting me know, at least I learnt something new!

[RTR]

You got it. But you do have very wide choice of tubes, color temperatures, spectra, and prices.

[Mulla]

Well true. I guess I'll have to keep supplementing it with my 60W CF. <sigh>....