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View Full Version : 250w mh de ballasts


levischilz
12/02/2010, 11:24 PM
I just purchased a setup from someone for a 220g tank and a 72" mh fixture. I want to get some new bulbs and possibly ballasts later. Which 250w de bulbs and good and what ballasts would be great? Im hearing all kinds of negatives on electronic ballasts for de bulbs. would the icecap 250w electronic work great or are the de bulbs magnetic only really:? Levi:sad2:

supra400hptt
12/02/2010, 11:56 PM
I have Phoenix 14K with Icecap ballast. No complaints.

levischilz
12/03/2010, 12:01 AM
hows the blue on those bulbs? i tried to find some good pics but didnt come up with much. I have heard great things about them but I was looking for some blue to the tank. Let me know what you think. 20k seems like such low par but well see i guess.

32mm32
12/03/2010, 12:14 AM
I purchased a new icecap e ballast to run my hqi setup just over a month ago and what a disapointment that was.... Had trouble lighting my new hamilton 14000k bulb so i purchased a phoenix 14000k bulb. It was able to fire the phoenix but i decided to go with a m80 ballast and purchased a aquamedic reeflex cube. The icecap was a complete waste of money, Installed the m80 ballast monday and all i can say is wow! M80 is definitely the way to go for hqi bulbs, also the phoenix 14000k looks amazing off this ballast. It is a clean crisp white with blue tint unlike off the icecap it was a lot of dull blue. Im not saying icecap is garbage its just not for the hqi bulbs...

supra400hptt
12/03/2010, 12:16 AM
To me it isn't that blue. I'll probably try 20K when I replace the bulbs because I like a slight blue. But no real complaints. I have four T5 actinics that give me the "blue" look in the evening when the MHs are off. During the day though, the MHs overpower the actinics. Don't really notice any "blue".

levischilz
12/03/2010, 12:16 AM
well m80's running more in the like 290-310 range for wattage correct? i think its just the additional power to the de bulbs, thats my concern... my other biggest issue is getting myself to eat that much power up... 1000 watts makes me little sad lol

32mm32
12/03/2010, 01:18 AM
well m80's running more in the like 290-310 range for wattage correct? i think its just the additional power to the de bulbs, thats my concern... my other biggest issue is getting myself to eat that much power up... 1000 watts makes me little sad lol

m80's are hqi ballasts i wouldnt be concerned.... i was more concerned with the eballasts not pushing the bulb properly..

ForSaleByAndy
12/03/2010, 06:35 AM
I have the Lumatek ones that can power a 250 or 400w.
Run silent, not too hot. Fire right up. Easy to install, no complaints.