Looking for 250w HQI ballast PFO/ICECAP

[Tofumushrooman]

Hey all im looking to upgrade the lighting on my 58 oceanic RR. i currently have the 24" coralife retro (150w HQI) upgraded with 2x96w PC.

I was wondering if it would be possible to use the existing reflector with a 250w HQI bulb. Obviously i would need to upgrade my ballast so i was wondering if anyone has a used (good condition plz!) PFO or ICECAP ballast they are not using for sale?

Also just wondering if i do use the original reflector do i have to get larger socket pair? im guessing yes and was wondering if i could just order this pair and screw them into the current reflector...

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=166

finally, i was wondering if anyone had a pref to which ballast runs more effieciently.these are the 2 i was considering purchasing or looking for

PFO
http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem...lide_250_Watt_Magnetic_Assembled&vendor=.html

ICECAP
http://www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-idProduct-IC3161.html

is the pfo worth the higher price?

Thanks everyone for the help so far in getting my tank stocked and running!

Joe

 

[maxdout]

i dont believe the sockets are interchangeable. i think the 250 is bigger so you'd have to get a new socket for it. the IC ballast would be good as i used to run one but not sure about teh pfo.

 

[MrMikeB]

Check out CL - I saw some pendants up for sale there. HQI PFO using ICECAP ballasts.

 

[P.Kelly]

The sockets are different. I have both a 150 and 250 DE coralife light and while it looks like you could swap one into the other, you may find it difficult to get the parts you need (bulb socket and reflector are both different).

I'd personally go with the icecap ballast. I have run both.

 

[Tofumushrooman]

maxdout- yeah looks like most people seem to like the ICECAPS and for the cheaper price looks like a better option unless i can find some used

MrMikeB- just did and already sent out emails hopefully that works its much cheaper....(crosses fingers)

petes97-is the reflector for the 250 so much larger that if i went ahead and bought some new brackets (posted link above) that i couldnt screw those in and it might work?

Thanks everyone!

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12124001#post12124001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tofumushrooman
petes97-is the reflector for the 250 so much larger that if i went ahead and bought some new brackets (posted link above) that i couldnt screw those in and it might work?

I can't promise, but you may be okay. I think the reflector will need to be trimmed, so have some good metal shears handy and post pictures if you do it.

 

[xia]

I have a pfo DE pendant and pfo 250 hqi ballast only 3 months use on each. Asking $250. Might be able to throw in a couple of 3 month old Iwasaki 14k for $25 each, that's a package price.