Patchworks

My tanks is a Oceanic 150, L 72" W 18" H 28" and I run pressurized CO2. Also, I will be following the PPS dosing method.

After doing quite a bit of research and throwing out CFL, and some other approaches, I'm looking at a technique called ODNO (Overdriven Normal Output). The basic concept is that manufactures unpower a fluorescent bulb to make it last longer, which means you can send more power thru the bulb and Supercharge a bulb to produce more output. The side effect is the bulb's life is shortened, but that doesn't matter in aquarium since you only get a year of good light anyway.

What I want to do now is order 5 ballasts that are designed to run 4 - F32T8 48" bulbs, but you rewire the ballast to only drive 2 - F32T8 48" bulbs. The articles below says it makes a normal 32 watt produce 56 watts. I my senario with 5 ballasts driving 10 bulbs, it would produce about 560 watts.

Each Ballasts would be running 2 Overdriven 32 Watt (F32T which each produce 56 watts for a total of 112 watts per ballast. Multiply by 5 and get 560 watts total on a 150 gallon would 3.7 watts per gallon? And the best part is a case of 24 - F32T8 bulbs only costs around $55. That means for $55 bucks, I would have a 2.5 year supply with annual bulb changes!!!

As I said, I've researched quite a few option from CFL to regualar T8 32 Watt, HO, VHO, etc. This option is going to cost about $100 in parts and the ongoing expess is about $30 a year for bulbs. I just want to make sure no one out there has had a bad experience or a good reason I shouldn't go thru with the above method.

Thanks and have a great christmas!!!


Below are some links to info on ODNO:
Tech Thread: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pl...ting-odno.html

DIY Project: http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects...ighting/47.asp

Concept: http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/...utput-ODNO/18/