Metal Halide Question

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by CG, Feb 3, 2004.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. CG

    CG Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2003
    Messages:
    132
    Location:
    Austin, TX,Texas
    Thanks gresham, I'm thinking I can combine my power compact with the 400 watt 6500K, that shold be enough for clams right? Does the bulb in that kit look worthwhile? Most of the bulbs I see aren't so round like that but i'm not sure what the diff is? Thanks
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. Land_Fish

    Land_Fish Guest

    That ballast will cost more to run every month, If you use an eballast you can use all bulbs for replacement and cheaper to run and not as much heat.
     
  4. CG

    CG Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2003
    Messages:
    132
    Location:
    Austin, TX,Texas
    All bulbs including different wattage?
     
  5. CG

    CG Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2003
    Messages:
    132
    Location:
    Austin, TX,Texas
    oh and how much more do they normally cost? Thanks
     
  6. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2002
    Messages:
    2,825
    Location:
    SF/Monterey Bay Area, CA
    hmm, my last post never made it to here!!

    The kit looks fine, fairly good price as well. The bulb probably is on the cheaper side, but a great start! The kit is lacking a powercord(pigtail), wiring and a switch. All that can be had from Osh or Home Depot. Easy to rig, no worries there.
     
  7. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2002
    Messages:
    2,825
    Location:
    SF/Monterey Bay Area, CA
    email them and ask what brand the bulb is.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. Land_Fish

    Land_Fish Guest

    [quote author=CG link=board=lighting;num=1075863224;start=0#12 date=02/05/04 at 17:04:25]All bulbs including different wattage?[/quote]
    No you must run the same wattage of bulb that ballast is set for.
    eballast cost more but save you more in the long run plus you can run all different bulb types.
    The E-Ballast works with all bulbs, including HQI, providing unmatched reliability with NO flicker and NO hum. The E-Ballast produces little heat while using 20-25% less energy than a core and coil ballast.
     
  10. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2002
    Messages:
    2,825
    Location:
    SF/Monterey Bay Area, CA
    Just don't get them wet!! The only negative point to the E-Ballast, other then that, what a unit!! I have a discontinued Solar 1000, a 175w MH dimmable electronic ballast, and love the damn thing to death. To bad bulbs for it are getting quite rare. Thanks Coralife for discontinuing them.
     
  11. Land_Fish

    Land_Fish Guest

    Getting any ballast wet is not a good thing...DOH

    This ballast comes with a 3 year warranty...most others are only 18 months.
    http://www.hellolights.com/25methalbalk.html

    Electronic ARO Ballast Specifications
    * Item Code: 61-61003
    * Will fire all 250W metal halide bulbs, regardless if they are "probe start", "pulse start", HQI or Standard mogul in design. No worries with this ballast! (however, this retrofit kit is for mogul based bulbs)
    * Energy Saving - up to 25% over magnetic ballasts.
    * Extended Lamp Life - up to 25%
    * Consistent Lamp Color.
    * Uniform Lumen Output.
    * Reduced Lamp Flicker.
    * Cool, Silent Operation.
    * Long Ballast Life.
    * 3 year warranty
    * Dimensions: 8 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 2 1/8" (LxWxH)
     
  12. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2002
    Messages:
    2,825
    Location:
    SF/Monterey Bay Area, CA
    With a magnetic ballast, it can recover from getting wet (usually), but the electonic ballast will get fried. Your TOTALLY right though, getting any ballast wet, surely isn't a good thing. Fire and tripped circuits come to mind as does spending another couple bills to get a new ballast.