Got a T-12 ballast - will it work for basic reef lighting?

[psariandras]

My dad gave me a 2-pin dual T-12 bulb 24inch ballast. It is old and loud, I think, but it was free. I was thinking of using it for my tank(29g)

What would work best for keeping LR w/ F and basic corals(or would it work, perhaps)
2 10000k bulbs or two 50/50 bulbs or what combo would work best?

I read somewhere that a certain amount of watts were required for certain tanks, so I am not sure if two 24" T-12s will provide enough wattage, but it seems that the CRI requirement for 29g can be meet with two, two-pin T-12 24 inch bulbs.

 

[Fishieness]

unless it is a VHO ballast, IMO, no, you cannot really keep any corals in there and have them be healthy. But i doubt it is a VHO ballast, as it is most likely just a normal t-12 ballast.

 

[psariandras]

whats a surefire way to find out if it is vho or normal, I do not have any bulbs in it now.

 

[Fishieness]

it woudl most likely say VHO. or, where did you get it? if it isnt an aquarium ballast or came from somewher elike an office building i can pretty much garentee that it isnt a VHO.

 

[psariandras]

yeah you are right-it is normal ouput. I was reading the Reefkeepers FAQ, and wanted to ask you a question.
Do you think that very hardy corals or anenomes would be healthy with two t-12 bulbs? Unless I read it wrong it seems like they might produce enough wattage and lumens for a 29g tank, my tank is only 18" high.
thank you for your help.

 

[Fishieness]

there arent any anems that arent consdered pests (aiptasia and mojano) that woudl survive under that lighting. i also woudlnt suggest putting any corals that are photsynthetic, even mushrooms and polyps. IF they survive, they are likely to be very bland and to tell you the truth, ugly... i got osme a while ago, that were my first coral. they were kept in a 10 gallon under some t12 bulbs and they were brown and ugly. but they were cheap and my first coral so i gave them a try. after a short while, even just being under my PC lighting, they turned into some really nice velvety green mushrooms with red pimples. and now i love them. iw ould strongly suggest upping yoru lighting if you want corals. however, some species such as sun coral are nonphotosynthetic and only need to be fed.

 

[psariandras]

are the ballasts for MH bulbs expensive?