ah supply setup but where in the heck do you put a switch?

[Ptahkeem]

i just got a new ah supply 2x55watt setup for my 40 gallon tank and i may or may not be upgrading sometime soon. anyhow the question at hand is ive looked at the wiring diagram and there isnt anywhere where they mention that i can put a switch in. i was wondering there are 3 wires going to the ballast and then more coming out of the ballast so do i need to put a switch before the ballast where the 3 wires are? and if so do i put the switch to the 2 wires that are positive? since the 3rd wires just attaches to the ballast itself? man im lost please help lol
oh and what do you guys think should i get some more wattage over my tank?

[GulfCoastAquarian]

To respond quickly to your last question, I think 2.75wpg is perfect. I wouldn't get more light unless you specifically wanted to grow particularly light-hungry plants or intense foreground plants like lilaeopsis or glossostigma. Even those would grow in 2.75wpg on a shallow tank like a 40g.

As for the switch, yes, you put the switch on one of the two "positive wires". You want to cut one of the wires going into the ballast from the wall outlet and put the switch inline there. This will interrupt power to the ballast and shut it off.
The third wire going to the case is simply a ground wire. If you have a three pronged power cord, you also attach that ground wire to the case (usually a green wire).

[Rex Grigg]

Or just plug the ballast into a timer.

[SNPiccolo5]

That is how I run my lights, and I highly reccomend along with Rex that you use a timer. It keeps the light consistent and turns it off for you, you don't have to be home at night to turn it off, and my main reason is so I can sleep in and not have to get up in order to turn the light on.

-Tim

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Agreed, in addition, most timers have a built in switch with which you can manually turn the lights on and off as you please.