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Reload this Page Which Ballast
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View Poll Results: Which one?
IceCap 23 52.27%
ARO 8 18.18%
Bluewave 2 4.55%
Galaxy 6 13.64%
Other -please list on post 5 11.36%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll

 
 
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  #1  
Old 08/26/2007, 12:37 AM
shookbrad shookbrad is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Odessa, TX
Posts: 199
Which Ballast
Ok, Which 250W Electronic MH ballast would you buy?

IceCap
ARO
BlueWave
Galaxy
Other?
  #2  
Old 08/26/2007, 11:46 AM
Mr James Mr James is offline
sweeeet!!
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Thief River Falls, MN
Posts: 4,363
I used to be an IC guy. I am now an ARO guy. Does the same thing IME.
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  #3  
Old 08/26/2007, 12:47 PM
Kaos Kaos is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,825
I have had 2 IC 660's and 2 IC 175w MH's and was very pleased w/ all 4. Never failed to start and I always get a quick response in the IC forum when I need help.
  #4  
Old 08/30/2007, 12:53 AM
hohmfree hohmfree is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Spring Hill, TN
Posts: 57
I am now running a galaxy 250 dual and Love it
  #5  
Old 08/30/2007, 02:55 AM
hahnmeister hahnmeister is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brew City, WI
Posts: 8,639
For DE/HQI bulbs.... then an M80 ballast. For SE, then electronic, and the new Icecap would be my #1.
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  #6  
Old 08/30/2007, 06:39 AM
Dwarf Seahorses Dwarf Seahorses is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 334
PFO HQI M80. Best PAR with these ballasts. Check Sanjay's website, they're leaps and bounds over IceCap in PAR but those also slightly overdrive the bulb so you'll have to replace it more often.
  #7  
Old 08/30/2007, 07:09 AM
nyvp nyvp is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Hollywood Florida
Posts: 2,942
I agree on the pfo hqi but that being said I like galaxy over ic
  #8  
Old 08/30/2007, 01:05 PM
shookbrad shookbrad is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Odessa, TX
Posts: 199
This is what I plan on on buying for the pendent http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~PF2657.html

So, a PFO electronic ballast would be best?
  #9  
Old 08/30/2007, 03:43 PM
gman19 gman19 is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 346
BlueLine E-Ballast....never had any trouble from them.

Just upgraded from 3x175W SE to 3x250W DE and am really happy with the upgrade.
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  #10  
Old 08/30/2007, 04:42 PM
Dwarf Seahorses Dwarf Seahorses is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 334
Quote:
Originally posted by shookbrad
This is what I plan on on buying for the pendent http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~PF2657.html

So, a PFO electronic ballast would be best?
No, it has to be PFO HQI which is magnetic.
  #11  
Old 08/30/2007, 07:03 PM
HaroldT HaroldT is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: No. CA
Posts: 179
If it is for 250 watt double ended, definitely, go with HQI M80 ballast. The brightness of the bulb is much better on M80. For VHO, go ARO.
  #12  
Old 08/30/2007, 07:07 PM
treny treny is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 136
for the money I love my ARO 250w.. but I also love my 660 IC for my T5's...
  #13  
Old 08/31/2007, 03:21 PM
phishlet phishlet is offline
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Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,285
Another vote for PFO HQI magnetic.
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  #14  
Old 08/31/2007, 03:35 PM
chopsuey chopsuey is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 347
Agree with above

PFO
  #15  
Old 08/31/2007, 03:38 PM
Bebo77 Bebo77 is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Los Angeles(Silverlake) & Monrovia (next to Pasadena)
Posts: 11,788
i keep hearing great things about the galaxy...
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  #16  
Old 08/31/2007, 09:49 PM
shookbrad shookbrad is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Odessa, TX
Posts: 199
I just do not want to run a magnetic ballast due to the ineffeciency and extra heat it puts off.
  #17  
Old 09/01/2007, 01:20 AM
hohmfree hohmfree is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Spring Hill, TN
Posts: 57
The Galaxy ballast from Sunlight Supply is electronic. It is well built, & I would highly reccomend it.
  #18  
Old 09/01/2007, 08:19 AM
Dwarf Seahorses Dwarf Seahorses is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 334
Does anyone have any PAR readings from the Galaxy? I always hear good things but I'm curious as to how they compare to IceCap.
  #19  
Old 09/01/2007, 07:31 PM
jayybird jayybird is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 108
Icecap all the way.
 

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