Lumatek ballasts ?????

unclemuskie · 03/12/2009, 04:57 AM

Hello I just had one of my PFO magnetic ballasts go out and was wondering if anyone out there is using this ballast.It has gotten great reviews on the marine depot website.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...TACBAMHTF.html

thebradybunch · 03/12/2009, 06:21 AM

I am running 3 250w 120v Lumatek ballast and have been for over a year now and have no complaints whatsoever. From what I have seen they are comparable to Ice Caps. These are not a brand, they have been around for years and are now starting to catch on the in aquarium hobby.

Rysam · 03/12/2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebradybunch
[B]I am running 3 250w 120v Lumatek ballast and have been for over a year now and have no complaints whatsoever.

I've been using them for just over a year too, they came highly recommended by my amigos in the gardening business. i love em, no complaints at all.

thebradybunch · 03/12/2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

These are not a brand, they have been around for years and are now starting to catch on the in aquarium hobby.

I meant to say they are not a "new" brand.

Achapman · 03/12/2009, 10:00 AM

You need to decide which bulbs you want to run, then decide the ballast.

gcarroll · 03/12/2009, 10:35 AM

Funny little fact that some do not know:
Lumatek is the largest E-ballast manufacturer in the world. We might really be supprised who else in the Aquarium trade has ballasts made by Lumatek.

GTR · 03/12/2009, 10:48 AM

More than likely the capacitor has gone out. You should be able to purchase and replace that easily.

SteveU

ToeJam · 03/12/2009, 10:57 AM

I have had these for about a year and a half and love them. I was also using PFO mag ballasts before. Night and day difference to me.

DodgeDude99 · 03/12/2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rysam
I've been using them for just over a year too, they came highly recommended by my amigos in the gardening business. i love em, no complaints at all.

i have friends in the "gardening" business as well.

killercl0wnfish · 03/12/2009, 12:19 PM

hahahahaha dont we all

unclemuskie · 03/12/2009, 03:09 PM

Seem to be getting real good reviews.I am currently running 250w 12k reeflux bulbs.I ordered 1 of these ballasts so I can compare next to my pfo and see for myself before I fully convert.

Dejavu · 03/13/2009, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gcarroll
Funny little fact that some do not know:
Lumatek is the largest E-ballast manufacturer in the world. We might really be supprised who else in the Aquarium trade has ballasts made by Lumatek.

I heard that Galaxy Ballasts are the same as Lumatek. Is this ture?

gcarroll · 03/13/2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dejavu
I heard that Galaxy Ballasts are the same as Lumatek. Is this ture?

I never got a confirmation on this but I did not get a denial either. There is another ballasts out there though that looks very much like a lumatek though. Never got a confirmation on that one either.

Stoney G · 03/14/2009, 02:34 PM

Are Lumateks made in China?

HaroldT · 03/14/2009, 03:12 PM

probably.

anyhow, like GTR said, if you just replace your capacitor ($25 - $30) that will likely take care of it with your PFO ballast.

gcarroll · 03/14/2009, 03:14 PM

Stoney, I'm not sure where lumateks are made. I'm sure I can find out though if I ask the right people.

wildcat9lives · 03/14/2009, 09:50 PM

The Lumatek and Galaxy's are both great EB's... and they are both made by the same supplier overseas. Highly recommended.... These are known as being bulletproof in the "gardening" industry.

bumpbailey · 03/16/2009, 10:48 AM

Has anyone used this ballast with Phoenix 14K 250w HQI's?

03/12/2009, 04:57 AM	#1
unclemuskie Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Norridge.Il Posts: 454	Lumatek ballasts ????? Hello I just had one of my PFO magnetic ballasts go out and was wondering if anyone out there is using this ballast.It has gotten great reviews on the marine depot website. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...TACBAMHTF.html

03/12/2009, 10:00 AM	#5
Achapman Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 265	You need to decide which bulbs you want to run, then decide the ballast. __________________ 30x30x30 cube - 400 Radium w/Galaxy ballast - XP-2000 Skimmer - Reeflo Dart return - Tunze 6105's w/7095 controller Current Tank Info: 180RR w/55g sump - ASD 8.2 Skimmer - 3 Lumenbright Larges with 12k Reeflux on Icecap ballasts.

03/12/2009, 10:35 AM	#6
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Funny little fact that some do not know: Lumatek is the largest E-ballast manufacturer in the world. We might really be supprised who else in the Aquarium trade has ballasts made by Lumatek. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

03/12/2009, 10:48 AM	#7
GTR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Falls, ID Posts: 7,152	More than likely the capacitor has gone out. You should be able to purchase and replace that easily. SteveU __________________ AKA, Riff

03/14/2009, 03:14 PM	#16
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Stoney, I'm not sure where lumateks are made. I'm sure I can find out though if I ask the right people. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

03/12/2009, 06:21 AM	#2
thebradybunch Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 351	I am running 3 250w 120v Lumatek ballast and have been for over a year now and have no complaints whatsoever. From what I have seen they are comparable to Ice Caps. These are not a brand, they have been around for years and are now starting to catch on the in aquarium hobby.

03/12/2009, 10:57 AM	#8
ToeJam Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 77	I have had these for about a year and a half and love them. I was also using PFO mag ballasts before. Night and day difference to me.

03/12/2009, 12:19 PM	#10
killercl0wnfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: georgetown ky Posts: 52	hahahahaha dont we all

03/12/2009, 03:09 PM	#11
unclemuskie Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Norridge.Il Posts: 454	Seem to be getting real good reviews.I am currently running 250w 12k reeflux bulbs.I ordered 1 of these ballasts so I can compare next to my pfo and see for myself before I fully convert.

03/14/2009, 02:34 PM	#14
Stoney G Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 107	Are Lumateks made in China?

03/14/2009, 03:12 PM	#15
HaroldT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 582	probably. anyhow, like GTR said, if you just replace your capacitor ($25 - $30) that will likely take care of it with your PFO ballast.

03/14/2009, 09:50 PM	#17
wildcat9lives Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 4	The Lumatek and Galaxy's are both great EB's... and they are both made by the same supplier overseas. Highly recommended.... These are known as being bulletproof in the "gardening" industry.

03/16/2009, 10:48 AM	#18
bumpbailey Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Morgan Hill, CA Posts: 69	Has anyone used this ballast with Phoenix 14K 250w HQI's?