archimonde Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 ok here's the thing I am debating, I just got the Aqua Medic 250W Ocean Light HQI Metal Halide (only the pendant/reflector, no ballast or bulb) now, the bulb isnt hard to buy, I think I am gonna buy the DE 250W 10K.. I just wondering where I can find the ballast for this set up... do I have to use 250W HQI MH ballast or the 250W MH (no HQI) ballast would be okay? Link to comment
ofblong Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 id buy a 14000k bulb like the hamilton. looks much better. you can check out happyreefing.com for some decent prices. he also has ballasts that run both de and se. Link to comment
archimonde Posted January 27, 2005 Author Share Posted January 27, 2005 any 250w HQI MH ballast would run fine right? how about IceCap 250 Watt Metal Halide/ HQI Ballast http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp...dproduct=IC3161 Link to comment
bladze Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 buy both ballast and bulbs there so you can get free shipping Link to comment
bladze Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 btw, that ballast will work. Just that electronic ballast has some problem to fire up some bulbs like xm and more more but I forgot the brand. Link to comment
archimonde Posted January 27, 2005 Author Share Posted January 27, 2005 any suggestion what ballast should I get.. cheaper the better Link to comment
bladze Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 most ppl like ice cap and they don't use xm bulb so it is fine. I think marine depot has lowest price already. Link to comment
archimonde Posted January 27, 2005 Author Share Posted January 27, 2005 thanks for the quick answer bladze, so the 250w DE 14k Hamilton bulb w/ ice cap electronic ballast would run well together right? sorry for asking too many things, but what is the different between electronic ballast and HQI ballast? just want to double check before i purchase.. thanks in advance! Link to comment
bladze Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 hqi is magnetic = use more electric but it will be brighter. electronic = less electricity blah blah blah .. sorry i'm too lazy to type. do some search cuz this topic has been debate all over and over in hundreds threads. Link to comment
ofblong Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 what he said the electronic ballast wont put out quite as much intensity (but still enough) but the electronic ballast is quieter and cooler than magnetic ballasts. Link to comment
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