POLL: Metal Halide Ballast Choices

PatrickJ · 04/05/2006, 11:06 AM

I am trying to decide on a Dual ballast @ 250 watts ballast.

PFO-HQI (ANSI -M80)
IceCap (Electronic)
Blueline (Electronic)
Reef Fanatic (Electronic)
EVC (Electronic)
Other company.

Your input will help me decide. Supoort your choice of ballast with reasoning, using facts and experince. Restrain from making comments like "THEY ARE THE BEST" or "ALL OTHERS SUCK" unless you can back it up using quantitative and qualitative data, then interpreting the data into a fact.

For example,

I used ballast A using bulb B, for 6 years and I bought differnt ballast called ballast C. I find that ballast C with bulb B, puts out a brighter better color. I have also notice my corals like ballast C with bulb B. As a result, I am over all satisfied with ballast C.

Thank you.

affan · 04/05/2006, 11:15 AM

My reason for choosing IceCap is because I use it. The fact of the matter is that IceCap is the best, and in my experience IceCap is the best.

IkevinI · 04/05/2006, 11:20 AM

i second the icecap. great quality ballast and excellent customer service

Carman34L · 04/05/2006, 11:31 AM

I use Lumark High efficiancy wharehouse lighting ballasts.

hopper · 04/05/2006, 11:39 AM

Some ballasts are more energy effiecent than others. Even though I don't have an Icecap ballast, I would consider them next time around because they are supposedly more energy effiencent than some of the others.

rich99rich · 04/05/2006, 04:03 PM

I have a dual PFO ballast, and although I am satisfied with its performance, my complaint is that they are BIG and BULKY. I noticed that the IceCap ballast only weighs about 3 pounds, while the PFO weighs 30 pounds. This is probably because the PFOs are enclosed in a metal box. What is the advantage to this, and why doesn't IceCap do it?

PatrickJ · 04/05/2006, 04:51 PM

Keep it up guys.

REEFKEEPA · 04/05/2006, 05:08 PM

I vote for Icecap electronics also.
All of their products are bulletproof.
Yea they cost a lot but if something goes wrong (which has never happened to me or anyone I have spoken with)
I understand that their repair/replace warranty is very efficient.

T-6 Driver · 04/05/2006, 05:14 PM

I have a PFO ballast; I have no complaints, it works invisibly from my utility cabinet. Like others have noted, though, Icecap has a good reputation and I'd guess that I'd be happy with that brand as well.

Markk96 · 04/05/2006, 05:16 PM

Sunlight Supply BlueWave VII here, they are great.

Wiskey · 04/05/2006, 05:21 PM

I reallly like the aro balasts I have, they pull really close to 250W, they don't overdrive your bulbs and make them wear out quicker and they don't get super hot. They are cheap at hellolights.com too (sponser here).

Whiskey

Scuba_Dave · 04/05/2006, 05:24 PM

Dual PFO HQI
Close to 3 years & never a problem
I've used Ushio (1st) and now I use AB bulbs
No noise, I have extension wires so I can actually put my ballasts in the basement

View Poll Results: What one would you choose? (Support your answer)
PFO-HQI (ANSI -M80)	5	20.83%
IceCap (Electronic)	11	45.83%
Blueline (Electronic)	0	0%
Reef Fanatic (Electronic)	2	8.33%
Other.	6	25.00%
Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll

04/05/2006, 11:06 AM	#1
PatrickJ Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Luling, La Posts: 587	POLL: Metal Halide Ballast Choices I am trying to decide on a Dual ballast @ 250 watts ballast. PFO-HQI (ANSI -M80) IceCap (Electronic) Blueline (Electronic) Reef Fanatic (Electronic) EVC (Electronic) Other company. Your input will help me decide. Supoort your choice of ballast with reasoning, using facts and experince. Restrain from making comments like "THEY ARE THE BEST" or "ALL OTHERS SUCK" unless you can back it up using quantitative and qualitative data, then interpreting the data into a fact. For example, I used ballast A using bulb B, for 6 years and I bought differnt ballast called ballast C. I find that ballast C with bulb B, puts out a brighter better color. I have also notice my corals like ballast C with bulb B. As a result, I am over all satisfied with ballast C. Thank you. __________________ I skim wet, therefore I am. Current Tank Info: 120 Monster Last edited by PatrickJ; 04/05/2006 at 11:52 AM.

04/05/2006, 11:20 AM	#3
IkevinI Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 62	i second the icecap. great quality ballast and excellent customer service __________________ "I find your lack of faith disturbing." Current Tank Info: 65 gallon, 30 sump/refugium, sps dominated reef tank, 2*(175W MH Icecap w/ Iwasaki 14K), 190W VHO actinics, EV-120 skimmer

04/05/2006, 04:51 PM	#7
PatrickJ Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Luling, La Posts: 587	Keep it up guys. __________________ I skim wet, therefore I am. Current Tank Info: 120 Monster

04/05/2006, 05:08 PM	#8
REEFKEEPA Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 494	I vote for Icecap electronics also. All of their products are bulletproof. Yea they cost a lot but if something goes wrong (which has never happened to me or anyone I have spoken with) I understand that their repair/replace warranty is very efficient. __________________ WE ROCK!!!!!! Current Tank Info: 70 Gallon tub drilled, 120Lbs LR, 140Lbs LS, CPR CY194 Sump w/LR trickle, Mag Drive 9.5 return, 2 x Tunze6025 for flow, 2 x Ice Cap 660 running 6 x 95 W lamps

04/05/2006, 11:15 AM	#2
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	My reason for choosing IceCap is because I use it. The fact of the matter is that IceCap is the best, and in my experience IceCap is the best.

04/05/2006, 11:31 AM	#4
Carman34L Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lake Elmo, Minnesota Posts: 644	I use Lumark High efficiancy wharehouse lighting ballasts.

04/05/2006, 11:39 AM	#5
hopper Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bossier City, La. Posts: 623	Some ballasts are more energy effiecent than others. Even though I don't have an Icecap ballast, I would consider them next time around because they are supposedly more energy effiencent than some of the others.

04/05/2006, 04:03 PM	#6
rich99rich Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 307	I have a dual PFO ballast, and although I am satisfied with its performance, my complaint is that they are BIG and BULKY. I noticed that the IceCap ballast only weighs about 3 pounds, while the PFO weighs 30 pounds. This is probably because the PFOs are enclosed in a metal box. What is the advantage to this, and why doesn't IceCap do it?

04/05/2006, 05:14 PM	#9
T-6 Driver Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 81	I have a PFO ballast; I have no complaints, it works invisibly from my utility cabinet. Like others have noted, though, Icecap has a good reputation and I'd guess that I'd be happy with that brand as well.

04/05/2006, 05:16 PM	#10
Markk96 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1	Sunlight Supply BlueWave VII here, they are great. __________________ "Are you guys ready?" "Let's roll." Current Tank Info: Former 200 Gallon Oceanic Tank. 2 250W SE XM bulbs on Lumenarc Mini Reflectors. 2 Tunze 6100's and a Tunze wavebox. Now a JBJ 28 Gallon HQI Tank.

04/05/2006, 05:21 PM	#11
Wiskey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fallbrook, CA Posts: 3,049	I reallly like the aro balasts I have, they pull really close to 250W, they don't overdrive your bulbs and make them wear out quicker and they don't get super hot. They are cheap at hellolights.com too (sponser here). Whiskey __________________ This video shows 15 months of coral growth in my tank in a 30 second timelapse: https://youtu.be/bF6C57aTDEo

04/05/2006, 05:24 PM	#12
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	Dual PFO HQI Close to 3 years & never a problem I've used Ushio (1st) and now I use AB bulbs No noise, I have extension wires so I can actually put my ballasts in the basement