Item Code: 18501
* Compact Fluorescent lighting has become a very popular choice among hobbyists in recent years. Retrofit kits are excellent for those seeking to get CF lighting over their tanks for a cheaper price than a complete hood system.
* Retrofit kits are designed to be mounted into your existing canopy or housing.
* 96 watts of high intensity lighting that will stimulate photosynthetic activities in your corals or plants, as well as enhance visual appeal of your livestock.
* Includes: One 96 watt square pin 6,700K bulb, electronic ballast, moisture resistant endcap, lamp clips, and reflector. Lamp clips come riveted into the reflector for your convenience.
* Commercial grade premium quality ballasts with instant/soft start for longer bulb life. One remote ballast. These do not have an "On/Off" switch, so we recommend that you place them on a timer.
* Electronic ballast is cool running and more efficient than magnetic ballasts.
* Reflector Dimensions: 17"L x 7"W x 1"H
* Actual Working dimensions: 18 1/2" x 7"W x 1 3/4"H
* Ballast dimensions: 11 3/4"L x 7"W x 2"H; Endcap cord: 11' 8"; power cord: 6'
* Manufacturer: HelloLights.com
* 3 year warranty on the ballast.
* Caution: This retrofit/ballast kit must be housed in an area free of moisture, behind glass or acrylic. Make sure the bulb and socket are sealed off from any moisture, humidity or evaporation of your tank's water. Failure to do so will void any and all warranty, and could be a potential hazard.
*** FAQ:
Q. Is the lumen output on the Quad 96W the same as a standard 96W CF bulb?
A. Yes, as long as you are comparing similar bulbs. For example, a 96W Quad 10,000K has the same lumen output as a standard 96W 10,000K CF bulb.
Q. Do these retrofit systems come with mounting instructions?
A. No. The mounting/installation of the unit is fairly simple. Here's a basic procedure to get you up and running:
1) The CF bulbs will come un-mounted, due to shipping protection. Remove the bulbs from their cardboard boxes.
2) Push the bulbs firmly into their endcap boots, make SURE they are pushed in all the way, or you could cause damage to the endcap and bulb when you plug the ballast in.
3) Mount the reflector into its intended housing. Use the appropriate screws (we do not provide the reflector mounting screws), or glue (Goop or Super Glue works well).
4) Now take the CF bulbs you mounted into the endcaps, and gently mount them into the lamp clips. CF bulbs are fragile, so be careful when you are installing them.
5) Plug unit into a timer (assuming you are running a timer) or into the wall, and it should light right up.
6) Call us to trouble shoot the system, if you experience any problems with installation. 877-995-2677
Q. What's the difference between all the color temps (K)?
A. Here’s the best way to summarize it:
5,000K = Warm daylight, slight hint of yellow when fired next to a 10,000K. Great for freshwater fish and plant tanks.
6,700K = Nice white, not as visually bright as a higher K bulb. Not as yellow as a 5,000K, also great for freshwater fish and plants.
8,800K = Strong, bright, crisp light, comparable to 10,000K.
10,000K = Bright crisp white light.
20,000K = Violet / White light, looks like as washed out Actinic. Nice for Octopus or other lower light animal tanks. Simulates deeper water.
Actinic 03 = Violet light, ideal for invertebrates. HelloLights true Actinic 03 has phosphors that will cause fluorescing in certain reef animals.
Blue 7,100K = Bright blue light. This will not cause very nice fluorescing, but rather is for a visual balance, helping to "whiten" up yellow looking lights.
50/50 = 1 tube has either Actinic or Blue 7,100K, and the other has daylight. This is great if you want a nice mix of white/blue light.
Q. What's the difference between German (straight pin) and Panasonic (Square pin) bulbs?
A. Square Pin bulbs are slightly "wider and longer" than straight pin ones. They seem to be the more popular choice among hobbyists. Both types are available from most shops. If you end up choosing the SQUARE pin, be sure to "stretch" out the lamp clips a bit, as the reduced pressure will minimize bulbs breaking.
To avoid problems with CF bulbs & ballasts, we recommend:
1) Mount electronic ballasts as far away from heat sources as possible (this would include bulbs as a heat source).
2) Do not mount ballasts in any high humidity areas (ie. above sump, etc).
3) Avoid unnecessarily removing Compact Fluorescent bulbs once they are in place. Glass bulbs are fragile, so take care when handling them.
4) Make sure they are pushed all the way into their sockets.
5) Mount behind glass or acrylic 3-6" above the water. Do NOT operate any bulb directly over exposed water!
6) Securely mount all endcap cords, as loose cords can be pulled on accidentally, resulting in bulb breakage.
7) Most photo periods are between 8-12 hours, depending on specimen needs.