PFO Metal Halide Ballast

[Justin_NY]

try to buy a Pfo Ballast but so confuse. there so many thing to check it out. i am wondering if any of u guys know what the different with pulse start ballast and any other balllast?
what so special about it?

 

[Justin_NY]

bump

 

[Mantis806]

i think pulse start is when the bulb is fired from the ballast. probe start is when the bulb has a built in firing mechanism and can fire without the help of the ballast. there's a great thread running around RC that specifies the differences of the types of mh. hth.

 

[Vic8361]

Hey Justin here's the tread that I believe Mantis is talking about.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=201570

Vic

[ February 10, 2005, 01:54 AM: Message edited by: Vic8361 ]

 

[Justin_NY]

thx a lot for guys,

 

[jackson6745]

Yusa, IMO you should get the HQI ballast. It gives you the best par with any bulb (runs bulbs brighter and whiter). You also have the option of switching to DE bulbs if you wish. Yes, it does consume more electricity and shorten the lives of the bulbs but I think its worth it

 

[LiquidBlues]

hmm i thought HQI saves your money on your electric bill and the bulbs run longer

[ February 10, 2005, 08:00 AM: Message edited by: LiquidBlues ]

 

[Neo_TA]

I think its only when the HQI is electronic not magnetic.

 

[gforce6]

Magnetic HQI Ballast actually overdrive the bulb, that's why it is brighter but shorten the bulb life. I believe 280W-300W on rated 250W ballast.

Electric HQI Ballast use less power which is under 230W on the 250W rated ballast.

I would go for Magnetic HQI Ballast, if I buy the Ballast again. I think it is worth it. You will be upgrade again, if you see your friend's tank with bright intensive light on the same bulb you have.

Jung

 

[jackson6745]

Jung I remember reading on RC that the 250w PFO HQI ballast actually runs at 330...not 100% sure if that true though