Question on Overdriving NO Bulbs

[methuse]

I recently looked at a two bulb fixture that came with one of my tanks. You know the kind just the el cheapo tan/brown colored variety. On the back it says 50Watt. Each 18" bulb in the fixture says 15watt. Does that mean only 30 watts are being drawn from the ballast, or that 50watts are being put through these bulbs?

I would like to think that 50 watts or thereabouts is being put through them that way I could use it overtop of a 10gallon nano project I'm thinking about. Of course with some more applicable bulbs. What do you guys think?

[The Grim Reefer]

Probably just means the fixture is rated to 50 watts.

[methuse]

But from what I've seen there aren't bulbs of 18" that are more than 15watts - how would ever be able to make use of all 50 of the possible watts?

[The Grim Reefer]

Not sure, couldjust be that the endcaps and such are UL rated for 50 watts.