2 - 250 Watt MH Magnetic Or Electronic Ballasts?

[Warlock]

I need to get some 250 Watt MH for my tank.....

What would you guys suggest and why?

I here that the magnetic (pfo?) are noisy and surge? Is this true?

Is the electronic that much of an energy saving?

I have 2' x 3' x 2' tank....

Any guidance would be greatly apreciated....

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I have 3 pfo ballasts and they are not noisy and don't do anything bad. The electronic ballasts I owned for halides flickered constantly, switched off, blew their own fuses (requiring a return to mfg) until I gave up. Thats just my experience. Elec ballasts for VHO have been fine.

I also have a bluewave ballast (non-elec) that is great too.
You getting mogul or double ended 250s?

 

[Warlock]

I was plannig on mogul bases.....

I think it was marine depot had a dual 250 for sale. that seems to be the way I am leaning so far.....

Thanks for the reply.....

 

[reef150]

I've got 3 IceCap 250W MH ballast running 10K German bulbs and I've not had any problems with flicker, etc.....

 

[O P Ing]

hi.
When the e-ballast first came out about three years ago, there were a lot of problems with them. In past year or so, e-ballast technology seem to mature a little, and there are less problems. However, reliability of e-ballast still does not match good old magnetic ballasts that works with ANSI specifications.

 

[ScottC]

I have had 2 hellolights.com e-ballasts running 2 250w 10k bulbs for almost a year now with only one problem... it blew out one of my bulbs. Aqualine was nice enough to replace the bulb and said he's had to replace 6 bulbs this year (11/2002) so far that blew on a e-ballast. Other than that, I'm happy with the color, no flicker, and it runs nice and cool. My electric bill is still $120 a month, but hey, nobody said this hobby was cheap!

 

[dattack]

I have had 2 hellolights.com e-ballasts running 2 250w 10k bulbs for almost a year now with only one problem... it blew out one of my bulbs. Aqualine was nice enough to replace the bulb and said he's had to replace 6 bulbs this year (11/2002) so far that blew on a e-ballast. Other than that, I'm happy with the color, no flicker, and it runs nice and cool. My electric bill is still $120 a month, but hey, nobody said this hobby was cheap!

$120 a month?
That's pretty cheap compared to Cali.

 

[GSchiemer]

I'm using an IceCap 250 watt electronic ballast with a DE 10K bulb. It works great! The ballast is cool, small and lightweight. In fact, I'm able to conceal it in the cabinet beneath the stand. I screwed it against the side wall so it's protected from any spills. I would not have been able to do this with a standard ballast.

Greg Schiemer

 

[Warlock]

Thanks For All Of The Help.....

 

[Warlock]

Thanks For All Of The Help.....

 

[fishpoo]

Hellolights e ballast here. Cool and runs any bulb.