PFO dual ballast info and bulb options

[Mouse]

Looking to get the tank going soon and having trouble locating the best/proper bulbs for the ballast. Times change and bulbs aren't what they were years ago so Im looking for advice.
The ballast has a list of models with a check next to AQ2-250PS-120v and has 2 mogul sockets w/reflectors. If need be I can open it up and get other info. When I got the thing I got a pair of cheep bulbs to see if it worked, it fired them up and I put it on a shelf. That was several years ago......

I know PFO went out of business, and I remember hearing that they were darn good ballasts. Given the current market and expense of bulbs, would it be a good idea to use this or go with the LED setups off the bat? Ive read the whole MH vs LED issue and have not yet made up my mind on the matter.

 

[shifty51008]

You have tbe same ballast as i do, great ballast imo. I run hamilton 14k's and am very happy with them but will be trying out the hamilton 20k's next as they look simular as radiums on electronic ballast's

 

[slief]

I ran a dual 400 watt HQI PFO ballast when I ran halides. They are infact very good ballasts IMO. I ran 400 watt Radiums for years but then switched to 20k Eye's MH bulbs.

I am pretty certain you have an HQI ballast which is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. You can run Radiums at full power for better longevity and you can also run standard halide bulbs if you want to although I think they loose their color faster on an HQI.

Here is the break down on the PFO models.

BALLAST TYPES:
MH-Standard US ballast which operate most types of single ended lamps
HQI-Ballasts designed to operate most European and double ended lamps optimally
PS-Similar to standard US ballast, but it has an ignitor. The ignitor aids in starting AB lamps
EYE-Mercury ballast designed to operate the Iwasaki lamps optimally
EL-Electronic ballast
IC-Ice Cap Ballast

PART # Broken down into:
AQ (Qty of Ballasts)-(Wattage and Type of Ballast)-(Voltage)
AQ1-70MH-120V AQ2-70MH-120V AQ1-150MH-120V
AQ2-150MH-120V AQ3-150MH-120V AQ1-150HQI-120V
AQ2-150HQI-120V AQ1-175MH-120V AQ2-175MH-120V
AQ3-175MH-120V AQ1-175PS-120V AQ2-175PS-120V
AQ1-250MH-120V AQ1-250PS-120V AQ1-250HQI-120V
AQ2-250MH-120V AQ2-250PS-120V AQ2-250HQI-120V
AQ1-400MH-120V AQ2-400MH-120V AQ1-400PS-120V
AQ2-400PS-120V AQ1-400HQI-120V AQ2-400 HQI-120V
AQ1-250EYE-120V AQ2-250EYE-120V AQ1-400EYE-120V
AQ2-400EYE-120V AQ1-1000HQI-240V
ELECTRONIC-AQ1-150EL-120, AQ1-175EL-120