Need Some 250 Watt Mh Bulb/ballast Recommendations

funkyman · 05/03/2006, 09:48 PM

I currently have a 120 gallon reef / fish tank with (2) 175 watt MH Iwasaki 15k's SE MH's (great bulbs) and (2) 55 watt PC's Catalina light fixture. It does a great job, but I think a 2 x 250 watt fixture would be better due to the depth of the tank.

I received the good news from Catalina today that I don't have to buy a whole new light, but can simply replace the ballast and bulbs to upgrade the MH's to 250 watts.

I am looking for recommendations for good ballast / bulb combos on the 250 watt level. In all likelyhood, I'll probably end up with another magnetic ballast due to cost and ease of installation. I know the electronics are better, but have not seen one with the quick connect chords I currently have.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

zachluhrs · 05/03/2006, 11:25 PM

(1) Dual 250watt Blue Wave VII Ballast
-This ballast runs either HQI or Mogul base lamps

(2) EVC 10,000k Bulbs

SunnyX · 05/04/2006, 07:04 AM

I use XM 10k's with the ARO PRO Series Ballast(M58) from www.Hellolights.com .

Works great for me.

funkyman · 05/05/2006, 06:15 AM

Thank you.

Any other recommendations?

eckrynock · 05/05/2006, 06:22 AM

Check out Sanjay's sight to find the right ballast for the bulbs you want to run. http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/ If you want to stay with 15ks, find a 250w 15k bulb and compare PPFD and efficiency from the ballasts he used.

I run Reeflux 10ks on Advance magnetic ballasts (M58) from hellolights.com Ballast heat is the only problem with this setup.

want2reef · 05/05/2006, 06:38 AM

I run Reeflux 12K's on EVC ballast's.

Best combo I've had so far.

impur · 05/05/2006, 10:36 AM

I run a 14k hamilton and ARO eballast. I love the color of the bulb and get great growth. The ballast never gets hot and fires everytime.

grendl · 05/05/2006, 11:04 AM

I really liked the look of the AB 10ks on Sanjays site. I believe whenI buy my next lights thats what I am going to get.

gvibes · 05/05/2006, 11:42 AM

Reef Fanatic 250W e-ballasts ($100 apiece) w/ 10k Reeflux's. I just bought the PFO plugs separately and spliced them to the ballast, so I have the plugs.

05/03/2006, 09:48 PM	#1
funkyman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lorain, Ohio Posts: 1,811	Need Some 250 Watt Mh Bulb/ballast Recommendations I currently have a 120 gallon reef / fish tank with (2) 175 watt MH Iwasaki 15k's SE MH's (great bulbs) and (2) 55 watt PC's Catalina light fixture. It does a great job, but I think a 2 x 250 watt fixture would be better due to the depth of the tank. I received the good news from Catalina today that I don't have to buy a whole new light, but can simply replace the ballast and bulbs to upgrade the MH's to 250 watts. I am looking for recommendations for good ballast / bulb combos on the 250 watt level. In all likelyhood, I'll probably end up with another magnetic ballast due to cost and ease of installation. I know the electronics are better, but have not seen one with the quick connect chords I currently have. Any feedback would be appreciated.

05/05/2006, 06:15 AM	#4
funkyman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lorain, Ohio Posts: 1,811	Thank you. Any other recommendations? __________________ 150 gallon mixed reef, Kessil x 3, Gyre x 2, IceCap 48XL sump, Reef Octopus Regal 200-INT skimmer.

05/05/2006, 06:22 AM	#5
eckrynock Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 733	Check out Sanjay's sight to find the right ballast for the bulbs you want to run. http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/ If you want to stay with 15ks, find a 250w 15k bulb and compare PPFD and efficiency from the ballasts he used. I run Reeflux 10ks on Advance magnetic ballasts (M58) from hellolights.com Ballast heat is the only problem with this setup. __________________ Ed Genesis 1:21 Current Tank Info: 90 gal

05/05/2006, 06:38 AM	#6
want2reef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tracy CA. Posts: 1,353	I run Reeflux 12K's on EVC ballast's. Best combo I've had so far. __________________ Kevin The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Current Tank Info: CADlights Artison II 165g, 50g sump,Aquamaxx Q-3 Skimmer, AI Hydra 26 HD.

05/05/2006, 10:36 AM	#7
impur Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,262	I run a 14k hamilton and ARO eballast. I love the color of the bulb and get great growth. The ballast never gets hot and fires everytime. __________________ Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. Current Tank Info: 75gal, 20gal sump, 6-54w T5 TEK

05/03/2006, 11:25 PM	#2
zachluhrs Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Farmington, CT Posts: 232	(1) Dual 250watt Blue Wave VII Ballast -This ballast runs either HQI or Mogul base lamps (2) EVC 10,000k Bulbs

05/04/2006, 07:04 AM	#3
SunnyX Moved On Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,991	I use XM 10k's with the ARO PRO Series Ballast(M58) from www.Hellolights.com . Works great for me.

05/05/2006, 11:04 AM	#8
grendl Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Charleston, Wv Posts: 535	I really liked the look of the AB 10ks on Sanjays site. I believe whenI buy my next lights thats what I am going to get. __________________ Travis

05/05/2006, 11:42 AM	#9
gvibes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 239	Reef Fanatic 250W e-ballasts ($100 apiece) w/ 10k Reeflux's. I just bought the PFO plugs separately and spliced them to the ballast, so I have the plugs.