Tar Ballasts?? vs. Electronic or Magnetic

[jschottenfeld]

I am setting up a larger reef tank, 55 gal to 125 and I'm looking to go w/ 3 x 250 Metal Hallides with some T5's for actinic. My LFS likes using PFO tar ballasts. I'm unfamiliar how these compare with Electronic or Magnetic. He said that the Tar do run hotter and consume more electricity but that the internal parts are replaceable and the ballasts are much cheaper.

Any comments??

Jan

 

[jschottenfeld]

bump

 

[jamesdawson]

Electronic would be better and the triads are fairly inexpensive.

James

 

[jschottenfeld]

Why do you say that electronic ballasts are better than tar?

 

[Henry Bowman]

Electronics allow a greater variety of bulbs to be used. An Ice Cap will fire a variety of different MH Lamps. Electronics generally use less electricity. OTOH the Electronics do not produce quite as high a PAR as the Tar Ballasts and they (electronics) are more expensive.

 

[jschottenfeld]

I'm also considering the purchase of Current's Outer Orbit which offers a combination of 3x250 HQI, 8x39 T5's w/lunar lights.

Do you think this would be an inferior setup to installing individual 250Watt MH's and T5's on a retro kit?

 

[Henry Bowman]

I dont think it would be "inferior". You would ultimately have the ability to adjust add and change more with the retro installation. It sounds like you have a canopy ? I dont think the outer orbit will perform well without modding the canopy (ventilation comes to mind immediately).

 

[jschottenfeld]

Yes I will have a canopy and I will have to mod it for the Outer Orbit no differently than if I went retro. (bunch of fans and breathing ports)

 

[celebrityovernight]

from my understanding, only the m80 tar (HQI) ballasts are more powerful than the electronic ballasts.

 

[ccoral]

Tar is magnetic. If you do not want headaches magnetic ballast super reliable. I use them from 150 watt to 1000 watt. If I had to I would use the ballast from electronic Hello lights.

 

[jschottenfeld]

I belive my LFS was pushing PFO ballasts. I'm not quite sure what make bulbs he was thinking.

In your opinion do you think that I will be okay as fas as heat if I have a 12" high canopy with the lights approx 6-8" off the water. I plan on putting approx. (4) 4" fans blowing in cooler air.

I want to try to get by without using a chiller.

 

[mushumatt]

You should be fine. i have a fully enclosed hood with only 2 4" fans in it with 2-250 watt Mh lights in it and I have no issue with heat.