250W electronic ballasts

dadummy · #1 12/30/2006, 11:53 PM

hey there,

looking to run MH on a 90 gallon,. currently running 660w VHO. I am thinking of going for the electronic ballasts. I have read that Icecap is good, I love the 660 which will be used for actinics.
How do the other brands of electronic ballasts compare? What ballast are you running and are you happy with it?. any help on deciding is appreciated

thanks for your time

E-A-G-L-E-S · #2 12/31/2006, 12:01 AM

depending on which bulb you want to run any of these will do:
standard magnetic ballasts - m-58,m-59
Elec. - Icecap, EVC, and others
....and then there are HQI ballasts that run bulb much harder and brighter but on many bulbs will shorten lifespan a bunch(some bulbs, i.e. Radiums are meant to be driven by HQI's)

Hope that helps a little....you really need to decide what brand of bulb, what kelvin(color) temp., and what wattage as well

jag1979 · #3 12/31/2006, 07:41 AM

I really like the icecap, runs really cool and starts everytime, great customer service too

jag1979 · #4 12/31/2006, 07:42 AM

I run 3 250 watt icecaps and the 660

marino420td · #5 12/31/2006, 12:07 PM

I run Coralvue electronic ballasts and have been happy with them.

want2reef · #6 12/31/2006, 12:32 PM

I have been running two EVC's for about three years now with zero problems.

jamesBS · #7 12/31/2006, 07:54 PM

I run 250 watt icecaps electronic with 10k ushio bulbs and the 660with 4vho on a 90g I like my icecaps

AZDesertRat · #8 12/31/2006, 08:06 PM

I am using 2 Coralvue 250w e-ballasts for MH and a Coralvue for my 2x140w VHO.

powdertang05 · #9 12/31/2006, 09:40 PM

i have 5 250w e ballasts no problem love them

dadummy · #10 01/01/2007, 12:18 AM

thanks for all the replies , No one is running the ARO? think I'll stay away!

now just have to hit the lotto, I mean build a new canopy and save up some money