M59 ballast

[Bob 1000]

Any thoughts on the advanced magnetic M59 raw ballast??? Thinking about purchasing this one from hellolights.com??? let me know fellas..Is this ago or not??

 

[tripstank]

I would ask how your wiring skills? Then I would ask, why not the Icecap Electronic ballast? Or another brand?

The electronic ballast will run your bulbs better and save you money off your electric bill over time.

But yes, that ballast will work. I recommend enclosing it and using a heat sink.

 

[Bob 1000]

Wiring skills are good.. Icecap, I don't know much about MH ballast but expensive isn't always better in the long run or short term..They have electronic ballast also... What's the big deal??? I need to know...

 

[tripstank]

I would say they are at least 1,000,000,000,000,000 better than some generic ballast.

I am not getting any kick backs from Icecap (well, not yet).

40% Brighter
6X more bulb life
80% energy savings. (these are all claims by icecap)

Plus, name a serious reefer that does not run an Icecap or PFO ballast.

In this hobby I have discovered that cheaper usually SUCKS. Better to spend the money. IMO

 

[Bob 1000]

Okay that seems logical...But I've never been one to follow the crowd and I'm as serious as the next man doing this for 10+ years..Or else I wouldn't have bought a denitrifier for $700..just because I didn't want a sand bed..

 

[Bob 1000]

Changing your bulbs every year I think I would probably want to change this ballast also and at 75 bucks I thought that it wouldn't be a bad idea...What do you thin k would be bad about this ballast?? I need more info..From you guys..thanks for the insight tripstank...

 

[NYreefNoob]

ballast

as stated you get what you pay for, and after 10 yr's you know this already, why not buy once and be done with it.

 

[Bob 1000]

Because I've bought expensive thousands of times only to look at it and say "damn I could have done the same job"..I know I'm not the only one...I also like to put time into my tanks and DIY is my name...

 

[NYreefNoob]

ballast

i agree with expensive isnt always the best, but some item's are worth the money, and ice cap inst that much more. thats one of my next upgrade is to the ice cap 660's

 

[tripstank]

Why post if you don't want advice from experienced reefers who have been in the hobby for a LONG time. I have a decade in myself!

Yes the ballast will work, well at least for a while

 

[tripstank]

There is plenty of research out there for YOU to look at. Most studies with bulbs are done using the ICECAP ballast because it is the INDUSTRY STANDARD.

I don't believe I can say it any clearer!

But yes, the generic M59 will work. And it will raise your electric bill! And if not properly wired and protected it will also start a fire! And why cheap out on animals? Are you here to help them grow?

It is our responsibility as reefers to give our animals the very best so they can live as they would in the wild. Buying a ballast that "will work" over buying a "proven" industry standard because a few bucks is irresponsible if you ask me.

 

[Bob 1000]

No don't get me wrong I do want advice.. I just want to make sure that the m59 is not going to be just as good as an icecap...Thanks Now I just need to find the cheapest icecap dealer so I feel like I get my money's worth... Any suggestions fellas???

 

[tripstank]

Jim @ House of Fish!

His name on here is House of Laughter

 

[Bob 1000]

Is there anything better than Icecap???

 

[Craig]

Is there anything better than Icecap???

Icecap is pretty much top of the line.

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks Craig...

 

[cali_reef]

I would say they are at least 1,000,000,000,000,000 better than some generic ballast.

I am not getting any kick backs from Icecap (well, not yet).

40% Brighter
6X more bulb life
80% energy savings. (these are all claims by icecap)

Plus, name a serious reefer that does not run an Icecap or PFO ballast.

In this hobby I have discovered that cheaper usually SUCKS. Better to spend the money. IMO

Icecaps are great ballast, but I am not sure those numbers you posted are realistic comparisons.

 

[cali_reef]

Any thoughts on the advanced magnetic M59 raw ballast??? Thinking about purchasing this one from hellolights.com??? let me know fellas..Is this ago or not??

You should spend some time reading Sanjay's lighting website. You need to know what bulbs you want run before you decide on the ballast you should use.

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

IceCap is great if you want a "Do-It-All" ballast in the 250W class, it is not the "best" if you want to use the full potential of some of the bulbs available today.

 

[Bob 1000]

That was a nice way to get me lost.... When I sat down at the seminar Sanjay had at a frag swap I understood a lot more, Now looking at the charts......What am I looking for??? I want to keep exotic looking acros...bright colors....What is really needed in the form of spectrum???? To stare at a Sanjay spectral analysis just gets me dizzy...lol

 

[Bob 1000]

Oh yeah,,, I know the bulb I like I'm using a reeflux 400 watt 12k love that ice white... No need for actinics, only for viewing the flourescense of the ac's...