HQI ballasts group buy $59

[David P]

I found a wholesaler for metal halide, his regular ballasts are $55 and $69 for pulse start. He says if I order 10 ballasts, he'll drop $10 each. Anyone interested? He also sells pendants and bulbs. although he does not have any double ended 10k.

[Eric Boerner]

Raw ballasts? or full ballasts that are enclosed with plug and casing? ALA PFO style? What watt are they?

I need three 400 watters, but wasn't looking into getting HQI specifically. Was really just looking at getting some m59's and stuffing a box together myself. I don't need to run radiums so the m59's are the best choice for me.

But, I'm interested in more details on this deal.

At the moment I can get a full PFO dual 400 watt ballast with two 24" PFO spider-like reflectors & sockets for $190.00. Comes out to $95 a ballast and reflector. Anything to cut that cost lower would be awesome. I've worked out how much it would cost to DIY a couple ballasts, and it actually costs more to DIY the set up piece-mealing it together than buying a PFO set up.

[dattack]

What's the ANSI code on the ballast you plan to purchase?

[David P]

I just called and the guy had no idea what the ANSI code is for the ballasts, I asked about 400w ballasts and they are $55
10KK double ended bulbs are $95
but he said that he checked with the supplier and was told that you do not need a pulse start ballast... anyone have any info?

[lakerfan]

Did he give you a price for the whole package? (Bulb, pendant. ballast) and are these for 400 watters only, does he carry 250's?

Thanks for your help

Eric, that's a good deal you got going there

[David P]

ok heres the deal... Pulse start ballasts are made by Venture. Non pulse are Advance, either 250 or 400w are $55. 250w pulse are $69 and 400w are $74 (prices lower with quantity purchase) He did some research and can get the german 10KK double ended bulb (250w, didnt mention 400w) for $95

[David P]

oops I forgot, I asked about reflectors and he said he didnt have anything for an aquarium, only industrial.

[Eric Boerner]

The Venture ballasts are M135 pulse starts and will only drive venture and ushio 10k or 20k venture and radium bulbs. They won't fire HQI double ends. You need an M80 ballast or an electronic ballast to fire HQI bulbs, which are both pretty expesive.

Those Advanced ballasts are M59 tar and coil ballasts. I've also looked into getting some of these raw ballasts to DIY a ballast set. I was able to find a price of $53 per 400 watt ballast, $47 per 250 watt. With spider reflectors, power cord, and mogul socket, they come to $89 (400 watt) and $85 (250 watt).

My computations for a DIY M59 400 watt ballast are:

Full DIY kit (ballast, spider reflector, plug, socket) shipped (with tax): $118.
Ballast box with ventilation shipped (no tax): $22.

Thats $140 total per 400 watt ballast system.

PFO sells individual 400 watt ballasts complete with spider-like reflectors for $110, $130 shipped (no tax). The dual ballasts & reflectors are $190, $210 shipped (no tax) or $105 per light.

In order for the DIY to be more cost effective over the PFO dual set up, the M59 ballast would need to cost $18 shipped. Of course you can save some money and not get a ballast box and run the ballast exposed (or in a tin can of some sort), which would mean you'd need to find a raw ballast for less than $40. You can also not buy spider reflectors, which would save another $20. Meaning a $55 ballast, shipped would save $5.

No matter how much I look at it, a $190 complete dual PFO system with 2 spider reflectors can't be beat.

The PFO's can fire any bulb but HQIs or Venture & Radiums. IMO Radiums are over rated. If you want strict blue, 20000k ushios look great. I personally prefer ushio 10000k. But that's a matter of taste. Besides, radiums do best on eletronic ballasts, but thats a whole nother ball of wax.

Customaquatic.com has the PFO ballasts for the cheapest on the net. And deepseagallery.com has the cheapest PFO reflectors. However.... Jeff's Exotic will honor a "we'll beat or match any price anywhere on PFO products". They'll have it drop shipped right to your door.

[David P]

hmm, good info I thank you even though you rained on my parade. Eric, I will be talking to you about this saturday.

[Eric Boerner]

Sorry for the down pour. :(

I've been struggling to find the cheapest way possible to get some bigger ballasts over my new system. What can I say, I'm a cheapskate. :D

[dattack]

SInce you are price hunting,
Don't forget www.aquadirect.com

125% of the price difference. So it should be the cheapest anywhere.