Can I Use The 11w Tube?

[Callichthyidae]

hi, hope someone here can help me with this query. :) seems not many people are using ocean free light sets? :?

i'm using ocean free double-tube light set for my 1.5ft tank. i've some spare 11w tubes (FBL brand), but noticed that those original ones in the light holder are shorter. there's no indication on the original tubes, but i suspect they're only 9w each.

can i replace them with the 11w tubes?

(i got these tubes at qianhu's bugis exhibition, when i bought a single-tube light set then. the single-tube set holds 11w, didn't know that the double-tube will hold only 9w tubes!)

thanks! :)

[Bluebeard]

is the tube 2 pin?

most likely you can use 11watt tube as the ballast should be 13watt ballast. of course 11watt tube is a bit longer than 9watt tube.
to confirm you have to check the ballast but what i mentioned above should be true.

[Callichthyidae]

thanks, bluebeard! :)

yeah, the tube is 2-pin. i did try it on and the lights did come on, just that i took it out again cos i was afraid something bad may happen when i'm not around. :oops:

ballast? well, i blur blur about this stuff, but will go and check an old light set to learn the parts. :D

strange that ocean free has 11w in a single-tube light holder and then decided to put 9w tubes in their double-tube holder. :roll: length of holder is still the same, and i thought double-tube holders from the same brand should be double the wattage! :o

cheers!

[Bluebeard]

Originally posted by "coryfav"

thanks, bluebeard! :)

yeah, the tube is 2-pin. i did try it on and the lights did come on, just that i took it out again cos i was afraid something bad may happen when i'm not around. :oops:

ballast? well, i blur blur about this stuff, but will go and check an old light set to learn the parts. :D

strange that ocean free has 11w in a single-tube light holder and then decided to put 9w tubes in their double-tube holder. :roll: length of holder is still the same, and i thought double-tube holders from the same brand should be double the wattage! :o

cheers!

hehehe.. actually no need to check liao, very very likely the ballast can also support 11watt tubes (up to 13watt) actually there is 13watt tubes but not many places selling and also not many brands. i have some japan 13watt tube.

why put 9watt tube? cheaper mah.. ehehehe..

[Callichthyidae]

thanks, bluebeard, cos i stared at my single-tube light set last night, but didn't know where to look! :oops: :P

yeah, so i guess that when one of my double-tube light tubes do blow, i'll just switch to the 11w one. xie xie! :)

i've seen the 13w tubes in qianhu. in fact, i was there to look for a pink light tube for my single-tube holder (11w) then, but they only come in 13w. one of the guys there tried, but it didn't light up so i didn't buy. anyway, now my 1.5ft tank is for plants instead of fish, so i'm going to stick to white lights. ;)

p.s. saw the other thread asking about ballast. time for me to learn another new thing! :D

[Bluebeard]

it's ok

but when you buy those 11watt and below tubes, be careful, there are 2 pins and 4 pin versions.