MH ballast

[demifelix]

I know there's probably a thread on this topic somewhere here but I couldn't find it. I'm planning to get a MH lighting set for my future frag tank, and I'm trying to understand the difference among all the ballasts (PFO, HQI, icecap, magnetic, etc...) to see which one fits me best. It's been a while since I got my last setup so I don't really know much about thes anymore. Any help is really appreciated. Thanks.

 

[purplegorilla]

1. What kind of bulb are you planning to put on the frag tank (mongul or Double end).
2. What color of bulb (14k vs. 20K).

I would suggest you to get a magnetic because they last longer and puts out more par. Sometimes it costs a little less too than the electronic one.

 

[demifelix]

That's another question I have next. What's the difference between SE and DE bulbs? I was looking at some pricing and DE seems to cost much less than SE.

 

[acroholic]

One thing you will find regarding DE vs SE bulbs is there is a greater selection of bulb offerings (Kelvin ratings) in SE vs DE.

 

[grouper therapy]

There are way too many bulb/ballast combinations to say which is best. To say one ballast puts out the most par is inaccurate as well to say one bulb puts out the most par. Look at the Manhatten reefs websit and search Sanjay for his research.

 

[acroholic]

grouper therapy;589721 wrote: There are way too many bulb/ballast combinations to say which is best. To say one ballast puts out the most par is inaccurate as well to say one bulb puts out the most par. Look at the Manhatten reefs websit and search Sanjay for his research.

I thought you had gone all User on us Dave!

 

[grouper therapy]

Acroholic;589723 wrote: I thought you had gone all User on us Dave!

Not sure how that got there? My paypal account has been restricted for security reasons. If some one did that for me I greatly appreciate!!!!

 

[rbredding]

have you looked at the newer LED fixtures.. yes, they're expensive, but when you factor in that you've got to pay for the energy going through the MH ballast & bulbs alone are at LEAST $75/ea... it won't take long to break even...
(don't forget about the chiller you'll need due to the enormous heat output of the MH's)

I was looking at the new Ecoxotic fixtures that are expensive, but wow.. you can't argue with the energy/heat savings..

 

[demifelix]

Rbredding;589749 wrote: have you looked at the newer LED fixtures.. yes, they're expensive, but when you factor in that you've got to pay for the energy going through the MH ballast & bulbs alone are at LEAST $75/ea... it won't take long to break even...
(don't forget about the chiller you'll need due to the enormous heat output of the MH's)

I was looking at the new Ecoxotic fixtures that are expensive, but wow.. you can't argue with the energy/heat savings..

what you said about the energy saving makes a lot of sense, but LED is kind of new and I'm a little afraid. Maybe I'll give it a try for my frag tank. What woud you recommend?