Best electronic ballast for 250W Radium MH

Rreef · 09/05/2012, 06:40 PM

Ok, so I know they were meant for an M80 magnetic Ballast, but they aren't too common anymore.... Please do not post stating that I should use a M80 magnetic ballast...............

I am looking at getting an electronic ballast. Which one would be best for running 250W radiums?
If it has multiple settings, which should I set it as?

James77 · 09/05/2012, 07:16 PM

Any of the selectable ones like Lumatek or Luxcore set on the 250w HQI setting. I ran Radiums side by side, one on M80 the other Lumatek on HQI, and could not see any difference visually or in brightness. I originally just plugged in both without knowing which was which to see if I could pick either ballast out.

myaerica · 09/05/2012, 07:34 PM

Look through classified ads they are for sale all the time. I have spare bluewaves in the fish room.

sasharotty · 09/05/2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

I ran Radiums side by side, one on M80 the other Lumatek on HQI, and could not see any difference visually or in brightness.

Really, i can tell a very big difference in color and brightness. Might just be me though. I ran 1 on a bluewave and 1 on the galaxy, huge difference imo. But yeah if you dont want to search for an m80 than a selectable is your best bet.

James77 · 09/05/2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasharotty

Really, i can tell a very big difference in color and brightness. Might just be me though. I ran 1 on a bluewave and 1 on the galaxy, huge difference imo. But yeah if you dont want to search for an m80 than a selectable is your best bet.

What reflectors are your on? Mine are now LumenBrights....maybe that affected what I see? Might be you, but might be me also. Ha!

I'm torn right now between the M80 BlueWave and the 2 Lumateks. The total extra power consumed by the magnetic is trivial and it is a long lasting ballast. But its hard to beat the switchables for the versatility if I want to drop to 175 and then back

. Arrgghhh....decisions!

sasharotty · 09/05/2012, 09:03 PM

Both were on lumenmax 2's. And i agree bluewaves are workhorses.

alton · 09/06/2012, 06:10 AM

Only a meter can tell you what your lighting levels are at. At this time I have three 250w Radiums on coralvue electronic ballast. One lamp is 1 month old, the other 6-7, and the third is 19 months and with the naked eye you can not tell which is which. In 19 months the the third lamp has only dropped 5% which is very unusual. They other two where changed when they dropped 10% in light levels and PAR levels. I have had some Reeflux lamps that have lasted 18 months also.

sirreal63 · 09/06/2012, 08:05 AM

The M80 is still readily available, always has been and is less money than one of the electronics. The electrical consumption difference in negligible and there is no real reason to not use the M80. I won't tell you not to use the electronic, but make sure your reason is a valid one. Marine Depot, AquaCave and a few other places still have the Reeflex Cube and parts are available from AquaMedic in Colorado, should you ever need any. Hamilton still sells their HQI ballast as well.

If I had to buy new ballasts and I had no other choice than electronic I would probably try out the LuXcore ones from CoralVue.

09/05/2012, 06:40 PM	#1
Rreef Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 35	Best electronic ballast for 250W Radium MH Ok, so I know they were meant for an M80 magnetic Ballast, but they aren't too common anymore.... Please do not post stating that I should use a M80 magnetic ballast............... I am looking at getting an electronic ballast. Which one would be best for running 250W radiums? If it has multiple settings, which should I set it as?

09/05/2012, 07:16 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Any of the selectable ones like Lumatek or Luxcore set on the 250w HQI setting. I ran Radiums side by side, one on M80 the other Lumatek on HQI, and could not see any difference visually or in brightness. I originally just plugged in both without knowing which was which to see if I could pick either ballast out. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/05/2012, 09:03 PM	#6
sasharotty Moved on to my couch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: se michigan Posts: 1,065	Both were on lumenmax 2's. And i agree bluewaves are workhorses. __________________ Go big or go home!!!! Current Tank Info: Just loungin

09/06/2012, 08:05 AM	#8
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	The M80 is still readily available, always has been and is less money than one of the electronics. The electrical consumption difference in negligible and there is no real reason to not use the M80. I won't tell you not to use the electronic, but make sure your reason is a valid one. Marine Depot, AquaCave and a few other places still have the Reeflex Cube and parts are available from AquaMedic in Colorado, should you ever need any. Hamilton still sells their HQI ballast as well. If I had to buy new ballasts and I had no other choice than electronic I would probably try out the LuXcore ones from CoralVue. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

09/05/2012, 07:34 PM	#3
myaerica Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eau Claire,WI Posts: 461	Look through classified ads they are for sale all the time. I have spare bluewaves in the fish room.

09/06/2012, 06:10 AM	#7
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Only a meter can tell you what your lighting levels are at. At this time I have three 250w Radiums on coralvue electronic ballast. One lamp is 1 month old, the other 6-7, and the third is 19 months and with the naked eye you can not tell which is which. In 19 months the the third lamp has only dropped 5% which is very unusual. They other two where changed when they dropped 10% in light levels and PAR levels. I have had some Reeflux lamps that have lasted 18 months also.