Best MH ballast choice

[wombat1]

I'm checking prices on 175W MH ballasts, and this is what I see:
IceCap--$120
PFO--$74
Why is PFO so much cheaper??? I want to light an Ushio 10K bulb, or I might get a better bulb later. Do IceCaps make the bulb burn longer or brighter?? BTW, I have a DIY MV 250W ballast w/ Iwasaki 6500K bulb if anyone wants to buy :wink:

 

[The_Butler_1999]

fwiw .. Advanced Metal Halide Ballasts 55.00 over at
http://aquaticlight.com/ballasts.html

Anyone else run thies? ..


Not too sure if this will help .. but its what I use ..

 

[wombat1]

Wow, thanks!! How are these so much cheaper?? Does yours light up every time??

 

[oimate84]

I used dual PFO 175's for a while on Aqualine 10k's. It did a good job, but I upgraded to a dual Custom Sealife 175's with PC's. I really dont know why PFO is so cheap, guess there a fairly new company and trying to get known or something?

 

[The_Butler_1999]

Wow, thanks!! How are these so much cheaper?? Does yours light up every time??

Every morning for the past 3 years! ..

 

[ErikS]

The PFO is cheaper because the Ice Cap is electronic & the PFO is mag/tar. It depends on your needs - if a huge, hot, boat anchor doesn't bother you then go with the mag/tar. If you like small(ish), cool, and efficient then get the electronic (can be had for around $115 on sale).

 

[ChrisRD]

Wombat:

Are you looking for a bare ballast, or something remote in an enclosure? I've heard nothing but good things about the Sunlight Supply units if you're looking for something in an enclosure.

 

[jamesw]

I recommend you see Sanjay Joshi's work to determine the best ballast to light your lamp.

Check out his articles in Advanced Aquarist and Aquarium Frontiers.

Cheers
James