Which ballast with dual 400w Radiums?

[chrixx]

I am planning on upgrading to a 120 gallon reef (48x24x24) this spring and can't decide on a ballast. I'm sure there will be something better between now and then, but thought I would start kicking around ideas now. I am pretty sure that I will run dual 400watt Radiums. These are the ballasts that I am considering:

Blueline E-ballast 400w (2) - 169.90 each (339.80)
Sunlight Supply dual 400w pulse start - 219.00
PFO dual 400w pulse start - 189.95
Ice Cap 400w (2) - 195.00 each (390.00)

Noise and heat will not be a factor, since the tank will be in the garage with a display in the wall.

I am personally leaning toward either PFO or Sunlight Supply, but am open to all opinions. I would like to do this once and right the first time.

If anyone has pictures of any of these setups, I would appreciate the post. Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I'm using cap/coil now, but switching to some sunlight supply pulse starts, really like their setup.

Unless I can find some bluelines cheap

 

[D.W.L.]

I run a duel Bluewave pulse start, driving two 400w Radiums. Not as white as pics of HQI, but very nice colour, not to blue, IMO.

 

[chrixx]

D.W.L. Do you have a pic? What size tank are you running this setup on? Are you using any supplemental lighting (VHO/PC)?

 

[Derek]

I currently have 2 of the 400 wat bluelines. I have had these ~18 months and would not buy them again. I have had problems with a neighbor due to all of the rf they put out. Maybe they are better now, I do not know.

 

[Anonymous]

How did your nieghbor track the RF down to you?

I'm suprised they are able to get away with that, arent there soem standards they must abide by?

 

[D.W.L.]

I will take a pic for you. However, as with most Radium pics, it will appear much more blue than in person.

They are over a 6ft. - 225g tank. I was running a 400w 55K in the center of the Radiums, but have removed it. Experimenting with just the pair of 400w Radiums alone. No I dont run any other lighting.

The jury is still out on how the coral growth will be with this setup, as its still pretty new for me. I was running a 175-10K 400-12K 175-10K, on my 170g and this is brighter. I have also run the Radiums on my normal 400w PFO ballast. Its similar to the 12K. The pulse start is much brighter.

 

[Derek]

MegaDeTH,

He had a small receiver which he can tune to different frequencies. He wandered around the neighborhood until he ended up in from of my house. Once he told me the problem and when it occured it was obvious what it was. He is really into this ham radio stuff and had some gizmo he used to go through the installation in the hope I screwed up and had a leak, but it was the ballast. He bought one and retrofitted it and made better cables, so the rf is down by ~50%, but it wasn't enough for him. He has been in contact with the FCC because these ballasts are unlicensed ransmitters etc.

I have been waiting for something else to come out which is energy efficient, but other than the DE HQIs I haven't seen it.

Sincerely,

Derek