Most reliable ballast?

HippieSmell · 03/08/2013, 02:13 PM

My current light uses a PFO M80 HQI magnetic ballast, which has been running for 7 years at 10 hours per day and still runs great. I'm planning a new build for when I move this summer, and I want some reliable equipment. Are you folks getting that level of reliability with anything else?

Any that I should avoid? Thanks.

Edit: I should emphasize that I'm open to any lighting tech, be it MH, LED, T5, laser beams, etc.

James77 · 03/08/2013, 02:26 PM

Magnetic ballasts are about the most reliable there is, proven by your 7 years. They do lose some efficiency and power over time though. The Lumatek Ballast(maybe Galaxy too? ) have 5 year warranties....3 years full, 2 prorated. Doesn't speak for their long term reliability, but at least you won't be buying another one if one dies at 2 or 3 years.
PFO is gone and Blue Wave ballasts are no longer....but AquaMedic makes the same M80 ballast if you wanted new ballasts. They would be just as reliable as yours now.

LEDs obviously boast long term running...but seeing if they fulfill their claimed lifetime has yet to be seen. T5s are reliable enough, but it comes down to electronic ballast as well.

Michigan Mike · 03/08/2013, 05:19 PM

All 3 of my m-81 sunlight supply bluewave ballasts are 7-8 years old as well, run just fine.
I have 2 singles & a dual ballast. All are old by Reefing standards but fire up every time & fire up the best bulbs, same with m-80 IMO.

Michigan Mike · 03/08/2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

All 3 of my m-81 sunlight supply bluewave ballasts are 7-8 years old as well, run just fine.
I have 2 singles & a dual ballast. All are old by Reefing standards but fire up every time & fire up the best bulbs, same with m-80 IMO.

Unfortunately sunlight supply doesn't warranty them anymore, and they don't make them anymore.
Hamilton makes the "cube" and other m-80's are still out there for cheap.
I wonder sometimes when people try to sell them high when you can buy them new for around $75 (reeflux cube m-80). Or less....

HippieSmell · 03/08/2013, 05:49 PM

Yeah, those reeflux cubes are nice and surprisingly cheap. Doesn't seem like many know how good the m80 ballasts are.

The Aqua Medic Ocean Light is looking like a front runner for me.

moondoggy4 · 03/08/2013, 09:03 PM

Check Aqua Medic site they have some really good deals there.

03/08/2013, 02:13 PM	#1
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	Most reliable ballast? My current light uses a PFO M80 HQI magnetic ballast, which has been running for 7 years at 10 hours per day and still runs great. I'm planning a new build for when I move this summer, and I want some reliable equipment. Are you folks getting that level of reliability with anything else? Any that I should avoid? Thanks. Edit: I should emphasize that I'm open to any lighting tech, be it MH, LED, T5, laser beams, etc. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

03/08/2013, 02:26 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Magnetic ballasts are about the most reliable there is, proven by your 7 years. They do lose some efficiency and power over time though. The Lumatek Ballast(maybe Galaxy too? ) have 5 year warranties....3 years full, 2 prorated. Doesn't speak for their long term reliability, but at least you won't be buying another one if one dies at 2 or 3 years. PFO is gone and Blue Wave ballasts are no longer....but AquaMedic makes the same M80 ballast if you wanted new ballasts. They would be just as reliable as yours now. LEDs obviously boast long term running...but seeing if they fulfill their claimed lifetime has yet to be seen. T5s are reliable enough, but it comes down to electronic ballast as well. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/08/2013, 05:49 PM	#5
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	Yeah, those reeflux cubes are nice and surprisingly cheap. Doesn't seem like many know how good the m80 ballasts are. The Aqua Medic Ocean Light is looking like a front runner for me. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

03/08/2013, 05:19 PM	#3
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	All 3 of my m-81 sunlight supply bluewave ballasts are 7-8 years old as well, run just fine. I have 2 singles & a dual ballast. All are old by Reefing standards but fire up every time & fire up the best bulbs, same with m-80 IMO.

03/08/2013, 09:03 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Check Aqua Medic site they have some really good deals there.