metal halide ballast (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

Ok, I am cheap. I dont want to spend the money to get an Icecap ballast and I really want MH on my tank. What do you guys suggest I buy and where, such as brand etc. Did I mention I dont know a saw blade from a screwdriver so assembly should be avoided Yeah Im a guy too. Any help would be appreciated as I think there is more to life than VHOs. Thanks

Eric

 

[Guest]

Anyone?

 

[Wildfire]

I just got some PFO dual ballasts from eBay for about $135. They are the 400 W version. I then picked up some idiot-proof cables from Marine Depot....

All in all, I spent about $400, but I have two dual (4 total) ballasts, quick-connect cords and sockets.

 

[Guest]

So if I read this correctly you have 4- 400 watt bulbs on your tank? What are you lighting up a swimming pool?

 

[Guest]

if he's using high kelvin temp bulbs, he needs to increase the wattage to acheive a PAR rating equal to that of a lower kelvin temp bulb.

 

[Guest]

No, its a swimming pool for his daughters. :mrgreen:

Nathan

 

[Guest]

I guess I am looking for one of those magnetic ballast like advance or whatever they are called. Are those any good? Where can you get those? Thanks.

 

[Guest]

You CAN buy metal halide ballasts from home depot. But i'm not too sure how well they hold up.

 

[Wildfire]

Actually, I'm only firing 3 of the bulbs. It was just CHEAPER for me to buy the dual ballasts, and then if one goes out, I've got a ready spare.....

And, Nathan is paritally correct. The tank is 84" x 24" (30" high), and to clean it out before setting it up I actually crawled into the tank and sat down cross-legged in the tank with a rag to clean it out....

 

[texasreefer]

Get you a MH Ballast from http://1000bulbs.com/

 

[Guest]

Thank you Texasreefer. Are those difficult to assemble? Are you using those?

 

[texasreefer]

I've used them for all my tanks. They come as a bare ballast and you have to mount them in a box. THey are simple to wire up. All you need to hook up is 4 wires. Two for the power and two for the bulb. What size are you looking for? I have a 175W MH I can sell you that is already wired up w/ a socket and disconnect.

 

[Guest]

I am actually looking for 250W, I have bulbs laying everywhere, but no 175W.

 

[mushrooms]

where is a good place to buy?, looking for 2 hqi 250 w maybe pfo,what you guys think about this place http://www.reeftanklighting.com any lfs w/good prices ,need ballas too.

 

[mushrooms]

looks like i need to think before i buy http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=418855