400watt Ballasts? - Page 2

redwinger · 08-24-2005, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertical

Oh ya and they do not overdrive the bulb according Sunlight Supply. Cant remember the reps name I talked to...

That is good to know. Does one ballast run two bulbs?

vertical · 08-24-2005, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwinger

That is good to know. Does one ballast run two bulbs?

again we are fast

The bluewave I and II are identical except the I is a single and the II is a duel ballast. You can get either as a normal or pulse start, But was told on many occasion that the pulse start was better because they are easier on bulbs.

redwinger · 08-24-2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertical

again we are fast

The bluewave I and II are identical except the I is a single and the II is a duel ballast. You can get either as a normal or pulse start, But was told on many occasion that the pulse start was better because they are easier on bulbs.

Yes we are! Do these ballast have the PFO type disconnects also? I am starting to lean towards one of these and I never thought I would own a magnetic ballast. The five year warranty is a huge plus.

vertical · 08-24-2005, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwinger

Yes we are! Do these ballast have the PFO type disconnects also? I am starting to lean towards one of these and I never thought I would own a magnetic ballast. The five year warranty is a huge plus.

Not sure what PFOs disconnects are like. I am sure they are similar but probalbe not the same. Dont want people using the compitions equiptment with their ballast. I can take a pic of the plug in the morning if you would like.

As far as magnetics go I thought the same thing when I was researching much as you are now. What I found in the end was when I got to see a few of the different setups running (a couple years ago though they were all Radiums). I decided to go with what I liked visually the best. Like I said you are welcome to check out my setup and would urge you to find some others also with electronic or HQI. That way hopefully when you get yours setup you will be happy the first time and not have to chnge or upgrade again...

HTH
Casey

jg24 · 08-25-2005, 12:17 AM

This link I had on the upper post is a plug and play. http://www.hellolights.com/arocubicus400.html $ 105.00

Item Code: 61-ARO400

* Introducing the Cubicus 400 ballast from ARO!

* Model #61-ARO400 / Description: 400W Metal Halide, ANSI: M59 ballast.
*This is a fully enclosed M59 ballast designed to run one 400W metal halide lamp.
* INCLUDES: The popular M59 ballast enlcosed in a durable aluminum case which helps dissipate heat. Incorporates an on/off switch for full control and quick disconnects for ease of use. Plug and play!
* Probe Start ballast. The bulbs listed in the drop down selection will operate on this ballast. If you plan on using a Ushio 400W 10,000K lamp, then we suggest using one of our "Pulse Start" ballasts.
*Two year Warranty.

trodder · 08-25-2005, 02:12 AM

I have 2 blueline eballasts and bought two more from Greg... that is his ballast of choice as well as derek's I believe... as well as David I think. The nice thing about the eballast is this... lower power consumption... you can use any SE bulb on it... and they run a little coller I think which is good if you mount them under your tank. I have 2 400w 20k XM bulbs over my 58 with them and it looks great. I am gonna do 2 20ks and 2 10ks with VHO actinics over my 240 when it is done... all MH will be on Bueline eballasts. I am doing the 10ks for really accelerated growth. I like the color and look on Dereks tank better than anybodies and he has a 20k 10k mix with actinic I think.

vertical · 08-25-2005, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jg24

This link I had on the upper post is a plug and play. http://www.hellolights.com/arocubicus400.html $ 105.00

*Two year Warranty.

Bob this is a good price for a single unit as that a BluewaveI is $150+. But IMO a Bluewave II duel ballast at $199 with a 5year warranty is a better deal. I guess it depends how many you plan to run and if you want them on seperate times.

redwinger · 08-25-2005, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trodder

I have 2 blueline eballasts and bought two more from Greg... that is his ballast of choice as well as derek's I believe... as well as David I think. The nice thing about the eballast is this... lower power consumption... you can use any SE bulb on it... and they run a little coller I think which is good if you mount them under your tank. I have 2 400w 20k XM bulbs over my 58 with them and it looks great. I am gonna do 2 20ks and 2 10ks with VHO actinics over my 240 when it is done... all MH will be on Bueline eballasts. I am doing the 10ks for really accelerated growth. I like the color and look on Dereks tank better than anybodies and he has a 20k 10k mix with actinic I think.

These are the ones that I was orginally thinking about and am still contemplating. I really like the elctronic ballasts and have allways been partial to them, for one the power consumption and two the fact they will fire any se bulb. Do these have a quick disconnect? What kind of warranty do they come with and has any one ever dealt with them on warranty issues?

otolith · 08-25-2005, 09:22 AM

I run the blueline eballasts, and they work well. They can screw with X10 modules, unless you have one of the DC4 units to plug them into. Then the RF doesn't interfere with the x10. I run 10K Ushios/Ab, and 20K radiums. I don't know if I'm going to try XM bulbs, given I tried a 20K DE 250W bulb once, and it sucked...Plus I guess I like the radiums....

redwinger · 08-25-2005, 09:59 AM

I have the DC4 module so I am not concerned about interfering with my x10's. I currently run the XM SE bulbs and absolutelly love them.

trodder · 08-25-2005, 12:28 PM

they do have quick diconnects and warranty I have never had t odeal with... not sure but I think it mught be like 3 years but I am really not sure. I would shoot an email to champion lighting to get the details on that.

David Grigor · 08-25-2005, 03:43 PM

I ran 20K Radiums on e-ballast until I got out of it........ I did try the 20K XMs and they stayed too blue for me ( I guess after running 20K Radiums for 4 years you can get pretty partial to them ). XM 20k looked just like a brand new Radium before the Radium burns in. After about 2 weeks the Radiums are less blue where as the XMs stays basically the same. I never found a good substitute for the Radiums and stuck with them to the end. If I were to do again I would likely stick with 10Ks as they just seems to be the better all around bulb for most different types of corals and use VHO supplementation.

Really the wattage/usage difference etc. from an electronic 400W or magnetic is so slight I don't think it's going to break the bank either way. The e-ballast does use a little less amps if your really pushing the limits on your circuit but beyond that IMO it's negligable. I did have 2 e-ballast go out past the 18month warranty. I would seriously consider the magnetic just because of that. Magnetics are pratically indestructable.

Skipponator · 08-25-2005, 04:25 PM

Anyone use IceCaps 400w ballasts?

redwinger · 08-25-2005, 04:34 PM

David amps aren't an issue as I am going to have three 20 amp circuits dedicated to the tank. I really like the idea of those bluewave ballast and the 5 year warranty for the piece of mind. Casey, will the dual ballast be able to run off seperate timers? I like to run halides 15 minutes apart from the on off cycle to create a more dusk dawn effect.

tico mike · 08-25-2005, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwinger

amps aren't an issue as I am going to have three 20 amp circuits dedicated to the tank.

Holy Crap John.