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Help me pick out MH lighting setup!


chieferich

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hey guys, hoping you all can help I am looking for a 175w metal halide setup. mogul, and an electronic ballast that is enclosed with quick connects. i will use a 175w XM 20000k bulb.

 

*i will do a DIY pendant. (but still want the quick connect to the mogul base).*

 

*im having difficulty finding an enclosed electric ballast with quick connects......weird.*

 

 

does anyone know where i can find a setup meeting this criteria, for a decent price? $150+/- range.

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i can get a 175w PFO ballast for 80 at marine depot. are these any good? then icould just buy the PFO mogul hooup for 23 more..

any thoughts?

 

also, how important is an electronic ballast? better? energy saving?

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Originally posted by chieferich

also, what does this mean?

 

 

 

Tar style ballast (core and coil design)

 

 

Magnetic ballast

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thx...so,

 

is getting an electric ballast worth it? or should the PFO be good?

 

i'm just trying to see if there are any real advantages.

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The electric ballast will run cooler, which doesn't matter if you're going to have it in a remote location, and will run more effeciently, so it uses less electricity. If your building doesn't cover your electric bill, I'd say its worth it in the long run for the electric ballast. On the other hand, i have heard that it may underdrive the bulb. This has a plus and a minus -- plus- longer bulb life, minus - slightly (very slightly) lower intensity.

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Originally posted by goblue

 On the other hand, i have heard that it may underdrive the bulb.  This has a plus and a minus -- plus- longer bulb life, minus - slightly (very slightly) lower intensity.

 

http://www.icecapinc.com/rev5.htm has a comparison table showing this. Just by reading their table, Icecap has me sold. You may not save money, but your getting a much more efficient ballast.

 

As far as quick connects, you can DIY these http://petsupplyliquidator.com/htm/aparts_...scparts.htm#mp1

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so...160 for icecap and 87 for pfo magnetic....must take a long time for your savings in electricity to make up for the price...

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You might want to check out the Coralvue e-ballast. They are under $100, enclosed and IMO are a great value. Here's the link at PA:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/m..._Code=CoralVueB

I've been using both 175 & 250 versions for about a year and couldn't be more pleased.

 

Also, for an easy & inexpensive quick disconnect, try using either a black heavy duty extension cord (once cut in half, you have both male & female conections) or generic male/female household plugs.

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