Magnetic vs Electronic ballasts on 20k XM

dwillingm · 05/06/2006, 10:21 AM

I am running my MH on a cheap magnetic ballast. Will I see an improvement in Par output and color spectrum if I switch to an electronic ballast? Can anyone recommend a good DIY electronic ballast?

blufish · 05/06/2006, 12:30 PM

Hard to say. The Icecap MH electronic ballasts are great, especially the new models with the sweepable frequency start-ups (so they can handle both probe and pulse start lamps). They are definitley more efficient that magnetic and will use less power and produce less heat. Plus they don't weigh as much as boat anchor like a magnetic ballast does.

tkeracer619 · 05/06/2006, 12:35 PM

I use coralvue e-ballasts. They work great for me. I use them because i use reeflux bulbs. Figured I would keep it in the brand.

Do the conversion. Your electricity bill will thank you.

robsmith32 · 05/07/2006, 01:10 AM

the question is about par, you'd probably better off looking at the chart for you bulb ballast combination on sanjays sight, reeflightinginfo.arxive.com
your lightbill should go down with electronic, but par usually goes down, but not always.

for instance par on the new aqua 2 iwasaki is higher with the electronic ballast.

Creetin · 05/07/2006, 05:56 AM

Stick with mag ballasts. They are proven and you can talk to members that have had the same mag ballast for over 7+ years and still running.
Digital ballasts will be the next craze.IMO

05/06/2006, 10:21 AM	#1
dwillingm Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NC Posts: 215	Magnetic vs Electronic ballasts on 20k XM I am running my MH on a cheap magnetic ballast. Will I see an improvement in Par output and color spectrum if I switch to an electronic ballast? Can anyone recommend a good DIY electronic ballast?

05/06/2006, 12:35 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I use coralvue e-ballasts. They work great for me. I use them because i use reeflux bulbs. Figured I would keep it in the brand. Do the conversion. Your electricity bill will thank you. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/07/2006, 05:56 AM	#5
Creetin Limestone Cowboy. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In a little place i like to call a little place. Posts: 4,552	Stick with mag ballasts. They are proven and you can talk to members that have had the same mag ballast for over 7+ years and still running. Digital ballasts will be the next craze.IMO __________________ If only common sense was common. Current Tank Info: 300 gal marineland deep

05/06/2006, 12:30 PM	#2
blufish 10 & Over Club Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 212	Hard to say. The Icecap MH electronic ballasts are great, especially the new models with the sweepable frequency start-ups (so they can handle both probe and pulse start lamps). They are definitley more efficient that magnetic and will use less power and produce less heat. Plus they don't weigh as much as boat anchor like a magnetic ballast does.

05/07/2006, 01:10 AM	#4
robsmith32 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BUford, ga Posts: 609	the question is about par, you'd probably better off looking at the chart for you bulb ballast combination on sanjays sight, reeflightinginfo.arxive.com your lightbill should go down with electronic, but par usually goes down, but not always. for instance par on the new aqua 2 iwasaki is higher with the electronic ballast.