Mounting light ballasts

[Iron Crab]

This might be a lame question. I'm setting up a new system and I'm trying to figure out where to mount the VHO ballasts. The instructs say to put them above the water line but this puts them on the wall above the tank. Wife says no. Is it a real bad idea to put them in the cabinet? Also, if I don't put them on the wall above the tank I will need longer wires to reach the end caps. Is there a problem going with a 8 or 9 foot harness over the 6 feet that is supplied. I don't want this set up to look like a science project. So far everything is neatly tucked away and out of sight. I better mention that I'm using 660 IceCaps. Thanks, Bill

[This message has been edited by Iron Crab (edited 06-01-2001).]

[RWD]

Hi Bill,
I used to put the ballasts in the stand mounted to the side of it but there is a risk of damage if you have a water leak. In 5 years I never had a problem. On my new tank I mounted them on top of the hood behind a short wood cover. The cover hides the ballasts and other electrical equipment but allows easy access and heat disapation.

You will have no problems if you extend the wires a few feet. I believe you can go 100'+. Bob

------------------
Visit my reef site at www.bobsreef.com
Same site, different name.

[This message has been edited by RWD (edited 06-01-2001).]

[Iron Crab]

Bob
Thanks for the response. I'm still unsure of where I'm going to put them. After arranging all the stuff in the cabinet I still have about a foot left and I'm hoping to use that. First I think I'll figure out a way to protect them in case of a leak. The picture really helped. Thanks again, Bill

[golfish]

How about mounting them on the top of the stand inside the cabnet....

Mark

[PerryinCA]

I have my ballasts mounted to a board in the cabinet, but there is a gap between the actual cabinet and the ballast board. That way if there is a leak/spill/break, it won't touch the ballasts. I think Bob's idea is a good one. But, if I had PFO ballasts I would mount them outside the stand, away from the tank to keep the heat away...

-Perry

[Starmstr]

The only place I've found that is safe to mount electronic ballast is on the back of the hood. I had one go out that was below the waterline on the back of the cabinet and another go out which was mounted inside the cabinet.

[tubs]

I prefer to mount it on the hood not only for protection from the water but also for ease of disconnecting. If I have to remove the hood all I have to do is unplug the power cord. Otherwise if the ballast is anywhere else you may need to disconnect the harness which I would prefer to not touch to many times.

[Iron Crab]

Thanks everyone,
I have been thinking about having to mess with the harness plug everytime I had to remove the canopy. Don't like that idea. Besides that extra foot in the cabinet would be great for a small refugium- maybe about 23 gallons. I don't have anything hooked up yet and will look into putting them on the hood or behind and see how that will work.
thanks again, Bill

[JerseyReef]

If you were to use PFO ballasts, they come with "quick disconnects"

[Iron Crab]

Well, I spent the last three hours playing around with my lighting. The only place that is really practical is on top of the canopy. Can't go behind because of the SeaSwirls. If they were in the cabinet it would be a mess trying to drag all those wires when removing the canopy. Not really the way I planned but it seems to be the best way and the wife relented Thanks again, Bill

[tubs]

Shouldn't be a prob putting it on top and you can hide the mess with some decor. I've got my Blueline Eballasts up there and don't even notice them.

BTW, anyone interested in these 400w Blueline Eballast? I'll be selling them shortly.