Ideal ballast and reflector for 150 Phoenix 14k

biglurr54

New member
I am attempting to set up a 150w Halide system that will get the optimum performance out of a Phoenix 14k bulb or a Radium 20k. I would prefer the 14k because I will be supplementing with RB and UV LEDs. I have heard a lot about using a M81 ballast for the Phoenix bulbs. I have two ballasts currently that are stored away in the attic from a tank I had back in college. I was wondering if they would be the correct ballast to properly drive a 14k Phoenix. I will need to get a better reflector for sure so right now I am looking at the ballasts to see if I need to get a new one or if I need just a Reflector. It seems that the M81 ballasts are very hard to find in this current age of LEDs.



I have a coralife Aqua pro 150 watt fixture that has a terrible reflector but it is a magnetic ballast. Could I strip the ballast components out of the fixture and use them in an appropriate reflector?



I also have an ISB Sola Basic Magnetic ballast Model E-MCA00w151 which is pictured below. Is this the correct ballast? Is the coralife better than the Sola Basic or visa versa?



If these are not the correct ballast can someone point me in the direction of what the correct ballast is?



I am also looking at what the best/optimal reflector is for this bulb. It will be over a 60 cube. 24x24x24.


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if you can find an oldschool bluewave magnetic ballast that would be the ballast of my choice also reflecter would be a lumenmax.
 
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I have a Reefbrite. Works pretty well. The ballast will run 150w or 175w.
And supposedly it runs cooler than other reflectors. According to Reefbrite anyway.
 
It isn't spec, but it will work. It is a generic ballast that will fire and run the bulb and yes you can use it.
 
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