Another MH question

[teresaq1]

I am researching MH for my 150, and am confusted by initials
Just MH-2x250 for 239.56
HQI MH-2x250 for 315.44
PS MH (Pulse Start)???? 2x250 for 261.78
Iwasaki MH 2x250 for 249.99
The site i am looking at offers all these retro kits. inclued everthing except reflector.
Which is better??????? I will also be getting a single for the middle, so i will have 3 in all. I may put a 400W in the middle

 

[cmack]

If you go with 250W HQI, they be equivalent to 400W single ended MH. I used 2 - 250W HQI bulbs running off a dual PFO ballast on my 90G, and it was more than enough light. I have a 180G on order, and plan on running 3 - 250W HQI bulbs off of PFO ballasts, and supplementing with VHO Actinics as needed.
Also HQI bulbs need to be behind a UV glass shield, you can buy pendant set-ups that can be used in a retro set-up or as-is. They include the fixture, HQI sockets, cords for PFO ballast connection, and Glass shields. This was the easiest way for me, I installed the pendant fixtures in My DIY hood, then just plugged the pendant cords into the PFO ballasts, and powered them up. Easy and fairly inexpensive for the amount of light produced.

 

[teresaq1]

So i guess hqi is out, i want to use the reflectors that are with the retro kits. so now i have narrowed down a little. How are the PS ballests and or the iwasaki ?? This place i found is by far the cheapest i have found.

 

[acrylic51]

I'm not a fan on the DE bulbs just because don't like the look of the fixture over the tank......Why not go magnetic??? If you go PS (pulse start) check that the bulbs you want to run will fire and run on those ballasts as well

 

[teresaq1]

I found these, i think i am going with.
250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide Retro Kit
Quantity in Basket: none
Code: E2R
Price: $159.95
Shipping Weight: 10.00 pounds
Please Select Bulb: EVC Tech 10K ( $0.00 ) EVC Tech 14K ( $0.00 ) EVC Tech 20K ( $0.00 ) XM 10K ( $15.00 ) Hamilton 14K ( $20.00 ) AB 10K ( $30.00 ) Ushio 10K ( $40.00 )
250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide Retro Kit
System Comes Complete with:
EVC Tech 250 watt Electronic Metal Halide Ballast
with 8ft. Lamp cord and 6ft. Power Cord.
EVC Tech 250 watt Metal Halide Bulb.
Parabolic reflector is designed to house one metal halide bulb.
The advanced design of this reflector allows the maximum amount of light to reflect back into your tank.
Mirror finish. Supports 175W, 250W, and 400W metal halide bulb.
Dimension: 12.5"W x 14"L x 4.25"H
Mogul socket and mounting bracket.

 

[cmack]

You may want to rethink the electronic ballasts, they tend to "under-drive" the bulbs, meaning they dont provide optimum power. The bulbs will light, but will not necessarily run at the expected power output. This is why bulbs (MH or VHO) last longer on electronic ballasts. If I were paying for 250W bulbs, I'd want 250W of light coming from them.
Cheaper is not always better, esp when your tank inhabitants rely on light for nutrients.

 

[acrylic51]

Your going to pay more for the electronic ballast than Magnetic anyways, and why not go for the "juice"