ODNO shorter tube conclusion??

ninoboy · 03-16-2004, 09:44 AM

Ok, I read many posts here regarding overdriving a shorter tube. I couldn't really find the final conclusion. Does it work or no? I have a whole bunch of standard fixtures after upgrading some tanks to PC. But mostly I have either the 18" and 24" tubes fixtures. Just say I want to OD the 18", what ballast do I need to buy? How about the 24" ?

Also, Gulf mentioned that OD a shorter tube is useless, is it really? Do I really need to get 2 bulbs in series?

Thanks for the help.

EvilKen · 03-16-2004, 09:57 AM

ive OD an 18inch bulb 4x and it is noticeably brighter. Whether the light increase is as high as ODing a longer bulb is up in the air. I dont have a light meter or anything so, i cant give you any conclusions. Myabe ill take some pics of the bulb over the tank tomorrow at 1x, 2x, and 4x.

ninoboy · 03-16-2004, 10:40 AM

Evilken, what ballast do you use for it?

EvilKen · 03-16-2004, 11:24 AM

i used the 4-f32(t8) Advance Ballast that is commonly found in Home Depot.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 03-16-2004, 02:01 PM

To be honest, I've never tried overdriving a short tube (18"-24") with 4x output. But I can personally say I was able to measure no difference in current draw with 1x vs 2x on short tubes and therefore definitely could report no increase in brightness.
I'd like to see Ken's pictures of a 4xODNO 18" bulb. There's always an opportunity to learn something new!

EvilKen · 03-17-2004, 04:10 AM

ok, i took some pictures comparing 4XOD of a 18inch 15 watt bulb with its Normal Output. Here are the pictures. This light is usually used on a 10 gallon, but i put it on my 20 gallon because it was easier to see the difference. Sorry for the blurry pics, i took them really quickly

First is Normal Output.

This is 4XOD

You can see the differnce in the amount of light. Im not sure if this light increase is as dramatic as ODing a longer tube. The light increase is noticeable. Maybe someone can compare by posting their before and after pics with a longer tube.

Hope this helps =)

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 03-17-2004, 01:10 PM

I would say the difference is not quite as strong as when ODing longer tubes, but it is definitely significant!

EvilKen · 03-17-2004, 10:32 PM

How much more of a increase do you see with a longer tube compared to this example? Maybe double the light increase? A good guestimate would be good!

I hope im not coming off as overly zealous defending my setup for ODing light. That is not my intention. Im just trying to figure out the best way's to OD lights in each situation

ninoboy · 03-18-2004, 02:55 AM

Thanks Ken for the pictures. I just got the ballast. I'll try it tomorrow. Then I'll try with 2 bulbs in series and see if it makes any big difference.

ninoboy · 03-18-2004, 06:16 AM

I just OD my 18" 4x. Gulf, you're right, the intensity increment does increase but not really significant. I just see my 9325 bulb turn to white or less pink because of the intensity increment.

03-16-2004, 02:01 PM	#5
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	To be honest, I've never tried overdriving a short tube (18"-24") with 4x output. But I can personally say I was able to measure no difference in current draw with 1x vs 2x on short tubes and therefore definitely could report no increase in brightness. I'd like to see Ken's pictures of a 4xODNO 18" bulb. There's always an opportunity to learn something new! __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

03-17-2004, 01:10 PM	#7
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	I would say the difference is not quite as strong as when ODing longer tubes, but it is definitely significant! __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

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03-16-2004, 09:44 AM	#1
ninoboy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Las Vegas , Nevada Posts: 1,261	Ok, I read many posts here regarding overdriving a shorter tube. I couldn't really find the final conclusion. Does it work or no? I have a whole bunch of standard fixtures after upgrading some tanks to PC. But mostly I have either the 18" and 24" tubes fixtures. Just say I want to OD the 18", what ballast do I need to buy? How about the 24" ? Also, Gulf mentioned that OD a shorter tube is useless, is it really? Do I really need to get 2 bulbs in series? Thanks for the help.

03-16-2004, 09:57 AM	#2
EvilKen Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 52	ive OD an 18inch bulb 4x and it is noticeably brighter. Whether the light increase is as high as ODing a longer bulb is up in the air. I dont have a light meter or anything so, i cant give you any conclusions. Myabe ill take some pics of the bulb over the tank tomorrow at 1x, 2x, and 4x.

03-16-2004, 10:40 AM	#3
ninoboy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Las Vegas , Nevada Posts: 1,261	Evilken, what ballast do you use for it?

03-16-2004, 11:24 AM	#4
EvilKen Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 52	i used the 4-f32(t8) Advance Ballast that is commonly found in Home Depot.

03-17-2004, 04:10 AM	#6
EvilKen Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 52	ok, i took some pictures comparing 4XOD of a 18inch 15 watt bulb with its Normal Output. Here are the pictures. This light is usually used on a 10 gallon, but i put it on my 20 gallon because it was easier to see the difference. Sorry for the blurry pics, i took them really quickly First is Normal Output. This is 4XOD You can see the differnce in the amount of light. Im not sure if this light increase is as dramatic as ODing a longer tube. The light increase is noticeable. Maybe someone can compare by posting their before and after pics with a longer tube. Hope this helps =)

03-17-2004, 10:32 PM	#8
EvilKen Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 52	How much more of a increase do you see with a longer tube compared to this example? Maybe double the light increase? A good guestimate would be good! I hope im not coming off as overly zealous defending my setup for ODing light. That is not my intention. Im just trying to figure out the best way's to OD lights in each situation

03-18-2004, 02:55 AM	#9
ninoboy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Las Vegas , Nevada Posts: 1,261	Thanks Ken for the pictures. I just got the ballast. I'll try it tomorrow. Then I'll try with 2 bulbs in series and see if it makes any big difference.

03-18-2004, 06:16 AM	#10
ninoboy Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Las Vegas , Nevada Posts: 1,261	I just OD my 18" 4x. Gulf, you're right, the intensity increment does increase but not really significant. I just see my 9325 bulb turn to white or less pink because of the intensity increment.