Is there a diffrence in ballasts

[BigHack2006]

Is there a diffrent in magnetic and electric ballasts? is so what is recomnded and what is the down fall to it?

 

[Atticus]

Electronic recommended downfall is price

 

[BigHack2006]

but is there a diffrence in quality and reliability?

 

[seanb1]

magnetic ballasts get hot, hum and use alot of electricity, they dont light just any bulb.

electronic ballasts use at least 25 percent less electricity, are silent the ballasts can be ran at any distance from the tank, they dont get hot,but warm, you can use double ended or single. they are just the right choice.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

i have 2 mag. m59 ballasts and they are silent (no hum what so ever) and are cool to the touch, of course these are my 1st MH ballasts I have ran but i like them, but they are heavy suckers.

 

[BigHack2006]

thanks for the insite, i am still trying to decide what to go with. When they say they are for grow lights, can you still use those with aquarium haildes if you just change the bulb>?

 

[musty baby]

Related question - can 400w electronic ballasts be found anywhere?!

 

[musty baby]

never mind. They exist, they're just 3x as much.

 

[seanb1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12357927#post12357927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by musty baby
never mind. They exist, they're just 3x as much.

http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=18407&cat=539&page=1

 

[got2lb]

The ICECAP 400watters are pretty pricey.

The blueline ones sean pointed out are pretty reasonable and so are the coralvue ones.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...Product_Code=CV-400UL&Category_Code=CoralVueB

 

[dascharisma]

Don't electronic ballasts use less electricity because they deliver less power to the bulbs?

My preference is for PFO hqi ballasts. Paired with Radiums, they overdrive the bulb and put out a ton of bluish white light. I have seen a lot of tanks with other lighting, and none come close.


Brad

 

[BigHack2006]

so, with thoses questions awnsered, does anyone have a 400 watt electronic retro kit?

 

[leeweber85]

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...D&Product_Code=PFO400W20KR&Category_Code=PFOr

I think this is the PFO 400w HQI / 20k Radium retro kit

 

[leeweber85]

here's a good deal on a used icecap ballast

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1374400