Galaxy or Ice Cap for HQI's

[oz07]

I need to get a new ballast for my 250 watt HQI. I can get a dual Galaxy electronic for about $20 cheaper than two Ice Caps are they both equal in quality ? Thx

 

[geo]

I have always had top notch customer service from ice cap, so they would get my vote.

 

[hollback]

I really like my electronic IceCap ballasts.

 

[RokleM]

IceCap does indeed seem to have amazing support, so it's hard to go wrong there.

To throw a wrench into things and give you other options.... For the new tank I purchased one of SLS's new Lumatek adjustable ballasts. I'm pretty impressed so far. One of the few ballasts that can run 250w SE properly along with SE bulbs rated for an HQI ballast (Radium's).

5 year warranty on them doesn't hurt either (even though I haven't heard of many complaints with any SLS ballasts for that matter).

 

[Easily Distracted]

I do not have experience with the others, but I have used all icecaps for several years and have nothing but positive things to say about their products and service.

 

[jakano]

I'm with Rokle if I was buying a new ballast I would go with that Lumatek one. It has a lot more options to run bulbs. Ice caps are good but they will drive bulbs to right at spec which is 250W. A mag HQI ballast is usually going to run a bulb at over 300W and some even go as far as 371W depending on the bulb used. Just look at the numbers on Sanjay's website to see. So you would give up a lot in par just running them at 250w when they can handle more power.

 

[Jkraft136]

Hey eric speaking of the ballast, I saw in another post your running 20k radiums with that ballast. Do u have any tank shots with that bulb and ballast?

 

[szwab]

Icecap's cust. service is second to none. IMO

 

[UWUALineman]

Running Phoenix 14K on Galaxy Ballasts and I am happy with them.

 

[hollback]

I run 2 250w Radiums on IceCap Electronic ballasts with no supplemental actinics. If I was going SPS only I'd run 400w Radiums on an HQI ballast.

 

[RokleM]

Hey eric speaking of the ballast, I saw in another post your running 20k radiums with that ballast. Do u have any tank shots with that bulb and ballast?

No tank shorts right now. It's on my old sump/fuge area as a temporary holding area for my clowns/anemone and other various fish. It's a very crisp white, with a little actinic punch thrown in. VERY bright, very high par.

Pictures requires both me to properly edit pictures and both of us have our screens calibrated correctly. I always say if you want to see a bulb/ballast REAL look, do it in person. If you want to swing by and check it out, no problem there. That being said, here are two attempts (brighter in person):

 

[Jkraft136]

Thanks Eric

 

[Shark Keeper]

I agree with Eric. I have to replace my ballast soon so I plan to buy a Lumatek. I was looking at the Icecap first but the versatility of the Lumatek won me over.

 

[RokleM]

To throw yet another into the mix, SLS just added another product to their website via the Galaxy line. Looks like it's relatively similar to the Lumatek.

http://sunlightsupply.com/aqua/prod...A_GALAXY_SEL_WATT&title=Ballasts&type=product