Galaxy dual 250w HQI ballasts

[reefer96]

has anyone used these before or know how they compare to other ballasts. im debating on trading out my 72in outer orbit fixture w/ 3-250w hqi with t5's for 3 lumenx pendents powered by the galaxy ballasts. however i dont know anything about these ballasts. are they better than the current m138 ballasts that came with my fixture?

need help.

 

[chadfarmer]

never used them but they wont have the punch if your light is using a m80 ballast which is close to the M138

but the reflector on the outer orbit isnt as good as the luminmax3 pendants

so i would say its a wash

the problems with pendants is hanging them correctly and not having the nice look of the orbit

are these new or used the lights you are looking at

 

[reefer96]

used lights and ballasts, i have an open top canopy on the tank so the look is hidden either way.

i've heard that the m138 ballasts arent close to the m80 ballast at all.

right now im testing 2 pendents one on the galaxy ballast and the other pendent on a bluewave ballast, both are dual 250w hqi
and the blue wave is noticablly brighter.

now what, do i look at getting just the pendents and look at icecap and lumatek ballasts? cause it seems like those ballasts have great reviews.

im confused

 

[chadfarmer]

if you get a none sunlight supply ballast you will have to do a little wiring to make them work

the galaxy is an electric ballast and the m80 is magnetic (thats why there is a difference in lighting to the naked eye)

cant remeber the numbers but the bluewave puts out more than 250w I want to say 330W but cant remember

the bluewave 7 (dual ballast) is very steep priced

this going to be a personal decision are the pendants from planet reef

 

[reefer96]

yeah they are and i have the ushio 10k bulbs in them.

now what?

if you had to make this decision, what would you do?

 

[chadfarmer]

ther orbit is almost new and the ushio bulbs in the pendants have to probally be replaced

how much for the new setup?

 

[reefer96]

pendents 100.00
dual ballasts 175.00

what do you think?

 

[chadfarmer]

thats not bad if they dont have rust all over them (I looked at them but didnt look very close )

 

[reefer96]

no rust, but the ballast is my concern. go with dual galaxys or just get pendents and go with icecap or lumatek e-ballasts?

 

[sirreal63]

One issue with a dual ballast...what are you going to do for lights if one side goes out? When you send in the bad ballast to be fixed you are also sending in the good ballast leaving you with no lights.

 

[Lost His Marbles Name]

I have one, yes dual 250. The bulbs fire right away, the ballast stays a lot cooler than other coil and cap ballast, higher efficiency and green is my favorite color. if any of my other ballast goes out I will switch them to electonic ballast.

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

I had one on my fixture as well . I liked it a lot .

John

 

[reefer96]

would you go with a galaxy, lumatek, ice cap or a bluewave if you were buying for your sps set up now?

your thoughts???

 

[chadfarmer]

for warranty icecap

what bulbs you going to run?

 

[reefer96]

I was wanting Gman 14.5k 250 DE with actinic+ & pure actinic T5's

 

[reefer96]

or the iwasaki 14k

 

[chadfarmer]

Gman 14.5k

what do you want super par or color

 

[reefer96]

ultimatly i want good growth and great color, i know its not just about the lights, there's the husbandry as well.

it seems like alot of these threads people who run the gman bulbs have both of great color & growth.

 

[chadfarmer]

they are a good bulb

I would flip a coin on the ballast

I would get the icecap but you will get more punch out of the bluewave

the great thing about icecap is people are still using some of there products for a long time (vho ballasts older than 9 years) and they are a trusted name in the aquarium industry and can fix your problems if you have any

 

[reefer96]

ok im really leaning toward electronic ballast either galaxy, ice cap, or lumatek?

chad do you still vote ice cap?