70w Viper upgrade to 150?

[Stu]

I have a 70w viper hqi w/ a 14k Astralux bulb over my 12g nano cube. While I have it only about 5 inches over the water, my corals have always seemed to reach for the light, even my zoos, acans, and ricordea. I want to upgrade to a 150, and saw that JBJ makes an identical viper with a 150 ballast. Does anyone know if I can just swap out the ballast and bulb, and keep the clamp fixture? Is a 150 de bulb the same length and size as a 70? Would like to be able to just swap out the hardware if that's the case rather than just get an entirely new fixture.

 

-Stu

[davelin315]

I don't know the answer to your question, but a 150 DE bulb is about 6.5". I think that the general rule of thumb is that the higher wattage the bulb, the longer it is. Also, different manufacturers make different size bulbs, so check with Viper about whether you can swap out stuff. I would seriously doubt that it's worth swapping out a ballast without simply swapping out the entire fixture, though.

[traveller7]

70w to 150w requires a new or an adjustable socket.

 

Some reflectors, i.e. PFO mini compacts have additional holes in the reflectors to allow both the 70w or 150w to be used by removing and repositioning 4 screws.

 

I have no experience with the vipers.

[traveller7]

btw: 70w DE bulb is 12cm, 150wt is 13.5cm if I remember correctly.

[Leishman]

look here 150w viper FS $135 shipped

Edited February 24, 2009 by Leishman

[Stu]

Thanks guys. I found a guy on RC who's selling a 150W viper setup with a "newish" 14k and a broken arm and the UV glass missing for $75. Otherwise working fine. So I'm thinking I can swap out my unit's working arm and UV glass, and get a Phoenix 150 within a decent amount of time. Should do the trick as long as this guy follows through. Now if I can just figure out what to do with a 70w ballast...

[Stu]

Rik,

Thanks for the heads up. Saw pics from the one on RC and it turned out to be junk. Am going to try to buy the one you linked to and sell my 70W unit. Anybody have a new/fairly new 14k bulb for sale?

 

-Stu