magnetic vs electronic HQI balast

[rehnberg]

I am looking at 250 HQI balasts. Is there an advantage to one or the other? It seems that electronic balasts are a little more expensive.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Electronic = Less heat, smaller package, runs most any type of halide on the positive side. Can cause interference with electronic equipment, slightly lower output than a magnetic in most cases, cannot be repaired on the down side

Magnetic = Higher output, Can be repaired on the + side.

However they are large and generate a lot of heat and sometimes even a little noise. They also have a specific type of halide lamp they will run so you do have a limited option on the lamps you can run on it. With HQI the lamp limitation may not matter, I don't remember if they will drive both European and American spec lamps if you are going to use it to over drive a single ended lamp but I am pretty sure they can fire either.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

Ooops

 

[phillipj2]

I have a sunlight supply dual 250 hqi overdriving magnetic ballast and hate it. The ballast hums and is extremely noisy. Also is extremely heavy. I was told that the electronic ballast are more energy efficent ang reliable not sure. If i did it all over again i would buy 3 electronic galaxy ballast. This way you have the option to run radiums or any bulb you like JMO.

 

[ReefWreak]

I wouldn't run most bulbs on an HQI because of spectrum shift on them, as well as burning them higher than spec. After seeing Radiums on an electronic ballast, considering that's almost the bluest bulb you can get, on the second bluest ballast you can use (only bluer/underdriving would be standard m50? magnetic non-HQI), and I'm okay with how blue it is.

If you only plan to use Radium bulbs, than HQI is the way to go, hands down. If you plan to mix and match bulbs, I would stick with an e-ballast. I know that personally every time I replace my halides, I change to a different color/brand/type of bulb, but my e-ballasts just keep on firing with no problems.

 

[rehnberg]

Thanks for the help everyone. Grimm I have never had t-5s before but am considering them. It being only a 18" wide tank I would have to go with a 6 bulb fixture. Is there a fixture that your reccomend?

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15511445#post15511445 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rehnberg
Thanks for the help everyone. Grimm I have never had t-5s before but am considering them. It being only a 18" wide tank I would have to go with a 6 bulb fixture. Is there a fixture that your reccomend?

Depends how tall the tank is and what you want to grow in it. Generally for 18" front to back you want 6 lamps. Fixture depends on the height and what you are growing.

 

[rehnberg]

sorry, should have given more info. It is a standard 75g, looking to do mixed reef, crocea, Lps, sps.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

4 lamp Ice Cap will be fine

Edit, Crocea needs to be directly beneath the lamps.

 

[rehnberg]

Is the 4 lamp Ice Cap a fixture? I am looking for a fixture and not have a canopy.

 

[The Grim Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15511992#post15511992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rehnberg
Is the 4 lamp Ice Cap a fixture? I am looking for a fixture and not have a canopy.

Go with a 4 or 6 lamp ATI Sunpower. Again you need to be able to keep the clams below the lamps.