help with MH's choices

aaron · 05-03-2005, 11:32 PM

Can somebody please help to de-mystify the world of lighting for me?
I am looking to get a couple of MH lights for my new tank and, like always, Im looking to get out of it as cheaply as possible. I have been looking around at a number of lighting sites but there is a confusing amount of bulb and ballast types.- magnetic, pulse start, electronic.
I see hellolights has a 175W M57 magnetic ballast for $50. The price is right but is there something that I am not taking into account with this? something that i will come to regret in the future?

**nanoreefer22** · 05-03-2005, 11:39 PM

I'm running a 175W M57 magnectic ballast. It works fine for me. The only downside is there are a limited amount of bulbs that you can run on the ballast. I still like it, I use a 10K XM, and it works out great.
-Kris

aaron · 05-04-2005, 09:50 AM

I just found this dual 175W Hamilton ballast for $134.00
at http://www.seatechaquariums.com/Products.asp?Action=View&Path=T84,0006&ID=164&Desc ription=Hamilton_Technology_Replacement_Metal_Hali de_Ballast_Capacitor_And_Ballast_Complete&Reques tID=5%2F4%2F2005+5%3A49%3A57+AM
Has anyone had any experience with Hamilton ballasts?

pmui · 05-04-2005, 11:46 AM

Aaron,

The differnces b/w a magnetic ballast / electronic ballast. THe magnetic requires more power to start the bulb and compared to a electronic. Magnetic ballast produces more heat, and comsumes more power in relations to an eletronic ballast. Magnetic ballast is alot cheaper in cost than a eletronic ballast. I'm not sure which ballast can start more differnet type of bulbs.

Peter

05-03-2005, 11:39 PM	#2
nanoreefer22 YoYa Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn Posts: 10,031 Reefer Ratings: (75) Friends: (19)	I'm running a 175W M57 magnectic ballast. It works fine for me. The only downside is there are a limited amount of bulbs that you can run on the ballast. I still like it, I use a 10K XM, and it works out great. -Kris __________________ Kris MR Team

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05-04-2005, 09:50 AM	#3
aaron Australian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,026 Reefer Ratings: (16) Friends: (0)	I just found this dual 175W Hamilton ballast for $134.00 at http://www.seatechaquariums.com/Products.asp?Action=View&Path=T84,0006&ID=164&Desc ription=Hamilton_Technology_Replacement_Metal_Hali de_Ballast_Capacitor_And_Ballast_Complete&Reques tID=5%2F4%2F2005+5%3A49%3A57+AM Has anyone had any experience with Hamilton ballasts?

05-04-2005, 11:46 AM	#4
pmui Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NYC/NJ Posts: 1,081 Reefer Ratings: (18) Friends: (1)	Aaron, The differnces b/w a magnetic ballast / electronic ballast. THe magnetic requires more power to start the bulb and compared to a electronic. Magnetic ballast produces more heat, and comsumes more power in relations to an eletronic ballast. Magnetic ballast is alot cheaper in cost than a eletronic ballast. I'm not sure which ballast can start more differnet type of bulbs. Peter