Metal halide ballast

[quader94]

hey everyone


what ballast do you run for your metal halides n with what bulb/spectrum?

i may try the icecap ballast or galaxy with a phoenix 14k or radium 20k

this is almost a poll but i feel like ide miss alot of bulb n ballast combinatioins so im leaving it polless (word? lol)

[fihsboy]

ARO......love them. They are water tight and run cool. I run two 150watt ARO ballasts and two 14000k current bulbs. Im getting awesome growth and the color is nice too. No complaints.

[quader94]

it says the aro 250 watt verision is discontinued, weird

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewit...csegooglebase2

[fihsboy]

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=462

They are discontinued from marinedepot.....they sell the expensive stuff....like icecap and galaxy more then the ARO. The ARO dont look as cool.......but imo work the same....I get awesome growth and have no complaints at all with what im running. I may add some actinic T5HO bulbs eventually.....but for now I dont need.

[Fat Tony]

I use Icecap... awesome customer service and the ballasts are repairable from IC.. you can't pay enough for great customer service like they have

[quader94]

this one right?
http://www.marinedepot.com/IceCap_25...IC3161-vi.html


and im getting a reflector already, if i buy the ballast and bulb. do i need to buy anything else?

[crvz]

performance wise, icecap galaxy and lumenark are probably all a wash if you're looking at an electronic ballast.

[quader94]

Originally Posted by crvz

performance wise, icecap galaxy and lumenark are probably all a wash if you're looking at an electronic ballast.

i was reading up on them and came across this http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/6/review

like you said there basically all the same

[Fat Tony]

Yep, to the link, but you can find a better deal. try
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...oducts_id=1614

There's something to be said about supporting small business.

And yes, they are all pretty much a wash. I like Icecap for their customer service, and they are made right here in the good ol US of A

[quader94]

Originally Posted by quader94

this one right?
http://www.marinedepot.com/IceCap_25...IC3161-vi.html


and im getting a reflector already, if i buy the ballast and bulb. do i need to buy anything else?

bumping this, so do i need anything else?

thats weird, someone else told me about that website about an hour or 2 ago.

[Fat Tony]

You need the adapter plug to go from the Icecap ballast... if you cut off the plug, it voids the warranty on the ballast. You can get an Icecap adapter from any one of the lighting suppliers. I bet if you call Aquarium Specialties they will be able to get it to you as well. He's a really nice guy, located in Columbia SC.

[quader94]

ok thanks tony