magnetic or electronic ballasts

sharky71 · 03/05/2006, 07:47 PM

For starting out, would it be better to get an electronic or magnetic ballast?

bkwudzjeep · 03/05/2006, 07:54 PM

Magnetics are cheaper, produce some heat but some make a humming noise.

Electronic are quiet and do not heat up, but cost a bit more. I have heard they are more prone to burn out quicker.

There are pro's and cons to each, and I have run both with no issues.

samsfishnchips · 03/05/2006, 07:55 PM

sharky71,

they both have their pros and cons

for starting example

want cheaper = magnetic

want one that uses less wattage = electronic

weight - light = electronic

heavy = magnetic

want it repairable even by yourself, long lasting = magnetic

ect, they are very different, and you and only you can decide which is best for you to start out

reason I choose magnetic on my current setup,
1.give me more par than elect.
2.bulb runs a perfect white with a hint of blue, what I like...
3.long term record

good luck with your choice,

sam

sharky71 · 03/05/2006, 10:19 PM

are magnetic ballasts noiser than electronic ballasts? If there is that much difference in noise I'd prefer the electronic ballast.

Entropy · 03/05/2006, 10:23 PM

Are we talking about halides or VHO/T5/PC?

For halides their may be an arguement one way or the other, but for VHO/T5/PC, there really is no argument. E ballasts are better in pretty much every category except maybe cost, and it is close enough for it not to be a factor. For halides, it really depends on the ballast in question, and what bulb you plan to use. I use magentics for my halides, but only because I am too poor to switch to e ballasts at this time. If I could I would be running IceCaps since they drive the bulbs I am using (Iwasaki Aqua2's) better than what I am using now (PFO magnetics).

sharky71 · 03/06/2006, 12:44 AM

I was thinking of getting this ballast- IceCap 250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide/ HQI Ballast

What do you think?

bkwudzjeep · 03/06/2006, 08:05 AM

I'd say it's a good choice! You can run HQI or mogul on that ballast too if it's one of the newer models.

samsfishnchips · 03/06/2006, 08:47 AM

if you want electronic, icecap makes good ballast with good warranty,

sam

dwdenny · 03/06/2006, 09:55 AM

Also need to think about what bulb you will be running some have better PAR on E-Ballast and some run better on Magnetic. At least that is what I have seen on Sanjays light site.

samsfishnchips · 03/06/2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dwdenny
Also need to think about what bulb you will be running some have better PAR on E-Ballast and some run better on Magnetic. At least that is what I have seen on Sanjays light site.

can you show me an example, thx

I haven't seem an electronic ballast outperform a mag ballast yet, specially HQI one,

sam

surfnvb7 · 03/06/2006, 10:56 AM

...

Quote:

can you show me an example, thx

check out the new 175w Iwasaki Aqua2 14k bulb. On sanjays test, the icecap outperformed the magnetic ballast in par and overall efficiency. its at the bottom. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005...ew?searchterm=

also, no one mentioned that magnetic ballasts overdrive the bulbs, decreasing their life span, depending on the type of bulb

dwdenny · 03/06/2006, 11:16 AM

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/ Just look at the color temps and choose one and look.

PaulErik · 03/06/2006, 05:12 PM

Most MH lamps will not be overdriven if you use the correct type magnetic ballast.

Most magnetic ballasts are designed to strict specifications to assure optimal and reliable performance.

03/05/2006, 07:47 PM	#1
sharky71 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 403	magnetic or electronic ballasts For starting out, would it be better to get an electronic or magnetic ballast?

03/05/2006, 07:54 PM	#2
bkwudzjeep O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,078	Magnetics are cheaper, produce some heat but some make a humming noise. Electronic are quiet and do not heat up, but cost a bit more. I have heard they are more prone to burn out quicker. There are pro's and cons to each, and I have run both with no issues. __________________ "You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead." ~Laurel and Hardy Current Tank Info: Taking a break for a while

03/05/2006, 07:55 PM	#3
samsfishnchips Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,328	sharky71, they both have their pros and cons for starting example want cheaper = magnetic want one that uses less wattage = electronic weight - light = electronic heavy = magnetic want it repairable even by yourself, long lasting = magnetic ect, they are very different, and you and only you can decide which is best for you to start out reason I choose magnetic on my current setup, 1.give me more par than elect. 2.bulb runs a perfect white with a hint of blue, what I like... 3.long term record good luck with your choice, sam __________________ Every moment is a chance for happiness. Current Tank Info: 90G 99% SPS

03/05/2006, 10:23 PM	#5
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Are we talking about halides or VHO/T5/PC? For halides their may be an arguement one way or the other, but for VHO/T5/PC, there really is no argument. E ballasts are better in pretty much every category except maybe cost, and it is close enough for it not to be a factor. For halides, it really depends on the ballast in question, and what bulb you plan to use. I use magentics for my halides, but only because I am too poor to switch to e ballasts at this time. If I could I would be running IceCaps since they drive the bulbs I am using (Iwasaki Aqua2's) better than what I am using now (PFO magnetics). __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/06/2006, 08:05 AM	#7
bkwudzjeep O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,078	I'd say it's a good choice! You can run HQI or mogul on that ballast too if it's one of the newer models. __________________ "You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead." ~Laurel and Hardy Current Tank Info: Taking a break for a while

03/05/2006, 10:19 PM	#4
sharky71 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 403	are magnetic ballasts noiser than electronic ballasts? If there is that much difference in noise I'd prefer the electronic ballast.

03/06/2006, 12:44 AM	#6
sharky71 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 403	I was thinking of getting this ballast- IceCap 250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide/ HQI Ballast What do you think?

03/06/2006, 08:47 AM	#8
samsfishnchips Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,328	if you want electronic, icecap makes good ballast with good warranty, sam __________________ Every moment is a chance for happiness. Current Tank Info: 90G 99% SPS

03/06/2006, 09:55 AM	#9
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	Also need to think about what bulb you will be running some have better PAR on E-Ballast and some run better on Magnetic. At least that is what I have seen on Sanjays light site. __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

03/06/2006, 11:16 AM	#12
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/ Just look at the color temps and choose one and look. __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

03/06/2006, 05:12 PM	#13
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	Most MH lamps will not be overdriven if you use the correct type magnetic ballast. Most magnetic ballasts are designed to strict specifications to assure optimal and reliable performance.