Can a Ballast Be Used for Heating an Aquarium?

The ballast is one component of aquarium heating. It cannot heat your aquarium on its own, but when coupled with a lighting tube, it works to keep the aquarium warm. The ballast controls the current to the aquarium̵7;s lamp and provides the right voltage to keep it running.

  1. Electronic Ballasts

    • Electronic ballasts use a circuit board to control the current flowing to your aquarium̵7;s lamp. The more current that̵7;s allowed to flow to the lamp, the hotter the lamp will burn, thus heating up your aquarium. Using an integrated circuitry, a magnetic output transformer, a rectifier and an EMI filter, the electronic ballast keeps a very precise control on the current. Electronic ballasts are more energy efficient than magnetic ones, therefore they̵7;re cheaper to operate.

    Magnetic Ballasts

    • Magnetic ballasts heat your aquarium, but they̵7;re bulkier and heavier than electronic ballasts. Magnetic ballasts are less expensive than electronic ballasts, but they̵7;re not recommended for long-term aquarium use. They̵7;re simply an outdated method of regulating lamp currents. They work to control the lighting, but over time, they use more wattage than their electric counterparts. For modern aquariums, heat with electronic ballasts instead.

    What Ballast Do You Need?

    • It̵7;s essential to match your aquarium̵7;s lamp to the correct ballast. Using the incorrect ballast could result in a higher temperature than needed, which could significantly damage the contents of your aquarium. Most ballasts feature specific instructions on what lamp to use. The ballast will include a number from 1-4, which specifies the amount of lamps it can regulate. It should also indicate what type of lamp, including voltage, it should be paired with. For instance, if the ballast reads, ̶0;2, T5, 120V,̶1; then the ballast is able to regulate 2-T5 lamps, with a maximum output of 120 volts.

    What Happens when a Ballast Isn̵7;t Used?

    • Regulating your lamp̵7;s current ensures that the lamp is only able to produce the right amount of heat. Without a ballast, aquarium lamps draw heavily on their power source, which increases their heat and the heat of the tank. The lamp could overheat, but worse it will heat the water̵7;s temperature. This will disrupt the balance of your aquarium and possibly kill the contents within. A ballast ensures this doesn̵7;t happen. It also ensures a longer lamp life, as it helps to maintain the lamp̵7;s ideal electrode temperature.