I have a 33 gallon tank (36x12x18) That is currently running 2 30 watt tubes on a "glo-mat" system. I want to run an additional 2, 36" t-8 tubes at 2x output (parrallel if possible). Is there a wireing diagram for this someplace that I missed? I've only seen the 4x diagrams for series lighting. (series putting out more than parrallel?)
With a Glo-mat? Can't do it. You could OD a single tube on a Glo-mat if you chop it to pieces and rewire it.. But I've never taken one apart.. Too expensive!
What you need to OD is an electronic ballast with multiple outputs for multiple bulbs and then run two or more of the outs together and into a bulb (and the other end into the common ground).. Voila, you're pumping more juice through the tube.
Read the other ODNO thread (Has ODNO in the title - it's still on the first page in this forum) for more details on doing it.
I have 2x ODNO on my tank with the same dimensions. You are going to have a lot of light in your tank with an additional two bulbs.
But to answer your question, here is more or less a wiring diagram. Use the first one (labelled current wiring) but obviously only one ballast (the diagram was for another light setup I was working on).
Works great.. plenty of light! Try to get a decent reflector if you don't have one already though.
Oh, and the ballast I am using is an advantage 4-f32 electronic ballast. Used to drive 4 - 4' bulbs.
Great! Thats exactly what I was looking for. What would you recomend as a reflector? I currently have alu rain gutters (not painted inside, but black tremclad on the outside) over the glo-mat tubes.
I was able to track down a polished aluminum reflector to retrofit into an exiting shop light fixture. I modified it slightly (cut down to 36" and added ends). For my new tank I needed one that would fit 4 bulbs so I made it from scratch. Check out the one for the 30g here..
Oh, and be sure to ground the whole thing.. I made that mistake before.
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