metal halide ballasts

[bufu11]

i am looking at ballasts and i want your input on the best kind for then money? i always hear about icecap, are they any good?

 

[Nohatch]

They are one of the BEST i have found.

 

[bassettmd]

I have 2x 250 watt coralvue ballasts and bulbs... amazing color, nice equipment, cheap!

 

[bufu11]

thank you, any 1 else?

 

[jer77]

Different ballasts can run different bulbs, so it depends on the bulb. Different ballasts also run bulbs at different colors, so it also depends on what color you are looking for. You can look at this website for different possibilities. www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com.
The CCT is the PAR or photosynthetic active radiation or the amount of good light, PPFD is the color temp in Kelvin rating.

I use electronic ballasts with all my bulbs because they are quieter, plus can run any type of bulb. I have an Icecap and the rest are ARO brand. I find the ARO brands to be alike to the Icecap. You can get them at www.hellolights.com. They are a little cheaper too.

 

[bufu11]

where are you guys buying your ballasts online? and what about coralvue retro's on ebay?

 

[bufu11]

upp

 

[jer77]

I buy mine from www.hellolights.com or www.premiumaquatics.com.

 

[drummereef]

Lost of good info on Metal Halide ballasts and bulb choices here -

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=624185