hqi ballast suggestion please....

dieselgrk · 02/03/2010, 08:54 PM

the time has come to replace an old Aqua Medic ballast, however i am unsure as to which ballast i should replace it with. i am more concerned with higher par value then i am with energy efficiency. i am currently running 250 watt HQI 10k XM's but will be switching back to 14k Phoenix's soon.

any suggestions?

Neuticle · 02/03/2010, 09:08 PM

If you want a high output ballast that will fire any bulb, then you want an M80 magnetic ballast. Some of the E-ballasts come close, but I don't know of any that can beat them across the board.

FranktheTankTx · 02/03/2010, 09:11 PM

Agree. I would purchase an HQI BlueWave. ReefGeek has great prices on them.

Rockpile · 02/03/2010, 09:25 PM

Same as above. Just got the Bluewave 7 dual HQI from reefgeek. Sick price. They are out of singles, however (Bluewave 3)

raynist · 02/03/2010, 09:31 PM

I have a bluewave7 that I really like. I have 2 lumatek select anwatt ballasts on their way for another fixture. They let you choose between 150/175/250/hqi on am electronic ballast.

grigsy · 02/03/2010, 11:29 PM

I am using M80 HQI ballasts. The PAR ratings are way higher when I have compared them to MH 250 watt electronic ballasts.

I have been using Hamilton. They have worked well for me for over 5 years.

http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/sh...ia=&searchCat=

dieselgrk · 02/04/2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FranktheTankTx

Agree. I would purchase an HQI BlueWave. ReefGeek has great prices on them.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. just purchased a blue wave from reefgeek. can't wait to how bright it makes my aquarium look

02/03/2010, 08:54 PM	#1
dieselgrk Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 585	hqi ballast suggestion please.... the time has come to replace an old Aqua Medic ballast, however i am unsure as to which ballast i should replace it with. i am more concerned with higher par value then i am with energy efficiency. i am currently running 250 watt HQI 10k XM's but will be switching back to 14k Phoenix's soon. any suggestions? __________________ Paul Voresis Current Tank Info: Zeohead

02/03/2010, 09:11 PM	#3
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	Agree. I would purchase an HQI BlueWave. ReefGeek has great prices on them. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

02/03/2010, 09:08 PM	#2
Neuticle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: AL Posts: 92	If you want a high output ballast that will fire any bulb, then you want an M80 magnetic ballast. Some of the E-ballasts come close, but I don't know of any that can beat them across the board.

02/03/2010, 09:25 PM	#4
Rockpile Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 62	Same as above. Just got the Bluewave 7 dual HQI from reefgeek. Sick price. They are out of singles, however (Bluewave 3)

02/03/2010, 09:31 PM	#5
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	I have a bluewave7 that I really like. I have 2 lumatek select anwatt ballasts on their way for another fixture. They let you choose between 150/175/250/hqi on am electronic ballast.

02/03/2010, 11:29 PM	#6
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I am using M80 HQI ballasts. The PAR ratings are way higher when I have compared them to MH 250 watt electronic ballasts. I have been using Hamilton. They have worked well for me for over 5 years. http://www.hamiltontechnology.com/sh...ia=&searchCat=