When to add a ballast?

[blueblue48]

Im making a 81 watt DIY fixture for my 10 gallon salt, its going to have 3 27 watt quad power compact bulbs. i was wondering if had to get a ballast or not, and if so do i need 3 small ones or can i get one big one and put them all going through that one. thanks

[Varga]

Pretty sure you need a ballast to run PC's. If its anything like regular florescents, you can find a ballast that can run upto 4 bulbs. why not a retrofit kit?

[pinantanjohn]

Originally Posted by blueblue48

Im making a 81 watt DIY fixture for my 10 gallon salt, its going to have 3 27 watt quad power compact bulbs. i was wondering if had to get a ballast or not, and if so do i need 3 small ones or can i get one big one and put them all going through that one. thanks

If the bulbs you are talking about are the curly type with a regular bulb screw in socket then no you don't. The ballast is integral with the bulbs.

If not, if they are like regular tubes then you will need a special ballast for them. I'm not sure if you can get a 3 tube ballast. Usually they are multiples of 2.
I know folks that have driven 4 foot tubes with a ballast designed for 8 foot tubes. It works but the tubes don't last very long.

[blueblue48]

Yeah i said quad, there like a little flat bulb with 4 little bulbs in there. retrofit is too expensive and these were lying around. anyways ill go to the hardware store tomorrow and see if i cant get some that are pretty slim, because im running low on space in the hood. maybe ill post some pics when im done.