Ballasts

[fatboyt123]

want to know what brand of ballast you guys like. Going to get 3 250 watt ones but cant decide on which brand to get.Whatsome thing that is not very loud,not to heavy, and doesnt take up to much space.

thanks

 

[spongebob lover]

uhh i'd like to tag along dood, i have always like PFO's but since what happened to them, it seems like there's not 250s any more .

 

[fatboyt123]

Since i have never had MH before let me ask this question too.

If i have a ballast and am running a certain bulb and then the ballast dies.Will a different brand of ballast make that bulb look a different color?

 

[lizardarm]

Yes, different ballasts tend to make different lamps appear slightly different. I for one use and like Icecap ballasts (2x250watt, and 1x 660watt on my setup). This company has been around for a long time. They make no noise at all, run really cool for a ballast(warm, not hot) and are way lighter weight than the old magnetic ballasts that I'd run in the past. IMO they are worth the money.

 

[Chichas01]

I just bought these:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=LK1115&child=LK1115&utm_source=mdcsegooglebase&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=LK1115&utm_content=Lumatek250W120VDigitalBallast&utm_campaign=mdcse&site=google_base

They must be a lot heavier than the stock Odyssea/Jebo ballasts I'm replacing because the package coming to me is almost 16 pounds. I don't think the 2 I'm replacing weigh more than 6-8 pounds combined.

 

[Myteemouse]

whatever you get, get Electronic not magnetic..
Lighter, silent (almost) more efficient ...

 

[lizardarm]

I've heard a lot of good press on the Lumatek ballasts also.
And yes, as Adam said, get electronic.

 

[Pentagona]

Lumateks are great! Silent and cool running....quick warm up and great color temp. I have one of the 250's and like it a LOT better than my galaxy...coralvue...or PFO.

 

[G&NSalty425]

I second Ice Caps!!!

 

[Reef Setup]

I would say galaxy then icecap which im running now

 

[fatboyt123]

Lumateks are great! I have one of the 250's and like it a LOT better than my galaxy.

I would say galaxy then icecap which im running now

Okay since Pentagona says he doesnt like it as much but Reef Setup says its his first choice what are some Pros and Cons that you guys thought about the ballast?(Galaxy that is)

 

[Reef Setup]

Hands down galaxy is the hit, then icecap! Personal likings hear. Galaxy is energy saving it also runs single end & hqi a awesome ballast fatboy!

 

[Reef Setup]

Dont get me wrong i heard good things about lumatek, but never witness it in my hands! Ive tryed pfo to bulky and heavy!

 

[Pentagona]

Galaxy's are definitely good ballasts, second only to my lumatek. They are a bit larger, run a little warmer, little slower warm up, and have a little "warmer" color temp to the bulbs I run (Hamilton 14k). That being said though, they are silent as well, have a quick re-fire time, and don't have any bulb flicker on start-up. Their pretty efficient too, my dual 250 pulls less than 3 amps of power.

 

[fatboyt123]

anybody ever heard of the vertex ballast or tried them.I didnt know they made ballast.

Found this thought it was a good deal but dont want DE.So guess this is a good deal for some one else.
http://www.aquacave.com/vertex-250w-double-endedbrhqi-metal-halide-retro-kit-2521.html

 

[fatboyt123]

nobody has tried them?

 

[Pentagona]

I haven't...