Attn. PFO ballast owners

[Glenn W.]

I am interested in purchasing a 175w PFO dual ballast and had a few questions:

1.) Have you had any problems w/ this or any of the PFO ballasts?
2.) How much heat is associated w/ this ballast since it's a magnetic ballast?
3.) What kind of bulbs do you recommend for this ballast? (brand and K)

Thanks, any other comments are welcomed.

 

[Anonymous]

My pfo ballasts have been bullet-proof so far. They are quite warm to touch but the heat generated hasn't been an issue for me. As for bulbs, if you do a search here you will find volumes. I would recommend 10K ushio, if it comes in 175.

 

[purplefirefish]

I've had my PFO dual 175 for over 2 years now with out a problem. Does get a little warm to the touch but I wouldn't call it hot. I've used 14k bulbs - too blue for my taste. And 10k Ushio bulbs - I reallylike the Ushios. Nice crisp white light

James

 

[AgentSPS]

Get the PFO 'HQI' to get the most bang for your buck. More power to the bulb = burns brighter

I run a 400W PFO HQI with a 20K radium bulb and this sucker is bright! Burns like a 10K though. I would go 250 over 175 IMHO.

 

[plankton123]

1.) Have you had any problems w/ this or any of the PFO ballasts?

Nope.

2.) How much heat is associated w/ this ballast since it's a magnetic ballast?

175 ballast will be warm to the touch and will hum slightly when it first fires the
bulb.

3.) What kind of bulbs do you recommend for this ballast? (brand and K)

The PFO ballast will fire just about any single ended (mogul) 175 W bulb
you give it. However, I prefer the bulb quality and color of ushio or AB
10Ks. I've also fired coralife 6.5Ks, 10Ks, 12Ks, 14Ks, etc.

PS I'm running 250 watt icecap HQI eballasts now and love them. However, they
are much more expensive then PFOs. If you lived in the bay area I'd barter away
one of the three old 175W PFOs and bulbs I have in the garage. Ohh well.

 

[platapus]

Redundent....but my $0.02

I have 2 175 watt PFO ballasts, I have had them for 1 1/2 years, I like them alot, no problems, warm to the touch, not hot, For light bulbs I would have to recommend 10k ushios! Nice looking bulbs!

Im so happy with the PFO, Im getting ready to purchase 2 more dual 250 watt ballast for my next tank!

 

[Minh Nguyen]

PFO is great, I have 400W and 250 W ballasts. They build like a tank. Tough, water proof (resistance) and never mis-fire. No problem for the last 5 years.
I had IceCap ballast before and did not like it. That was 5-6 years ago. Maybe technology is better now.
Minh

 

[Glenn W.]

Thanks guys for the responses. The more I hear about this ballast the more I like it. So far I haven't read a negative thing (other than it being magnetic) about it. Thanks Plankton 123, if I lived closer I would take you up on that offer. Thanks again for all the responses, you've made my decision easier.