Ballast question

[janastasio]

I have to replace a ballast on my Nova ExtremeT-5's. The current Ballast is 54 watts per bulb, 2 bulbs per ballast. Can I replace the ballast to take higher wattage bulbs to put more light into my tank. I had purchased 84 watt bulbs not really thinking about what the ballast was rated for, and blew the ballast. I would like to use these new 84 watts bulbs. What are your thoughts? If I am able to do this, I will replace both ballast for hight wattage bulbs.

 

[janastasio]

Anyone?

 

[scsinet]

You should be able to, provided the new ballast can be wired through the existing setup. If the wiring diagram matches (which it probably will), then you should be able ot just drop it in.
I'm not familiar with 84 watt lamps. Are they the same size as 54W lamps? Usually higher wattage lamps are larger or otherwise different somehow.