Any one use Catalina Lighting?
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stanlalee
Active Member
they are okay to use. internally they use the same $50 magnetic m57 probe start ballasts every magnetic probe start ballast uses so all your really paying for with magnetic ballast is the detail of the housing, connectors, name stamped on it ect. the reef grow bulbs have been sanjay tested to be average (spectral plots and par simular to an average 20k bulb even the 10k version). the reflectors are nothing special but neither are any batwing reflectors. Basically if you've never had halides you'll love it. Its a step up from the DIYer halide rigged but not exactly the detail of the name brand retro's. the end result is pretty much the same once you upgrade the bulbs. they are a step up from fishneedit IMO and people use that all the time. unlike fishneedit though I've heard its easier to win 8 gold medals than to utilize the warranty but since your only paying $300 replacing $50 internals of a ballast or bulb that burns out prematurely probably comes with the cheap price if something happens to fail.
culp
Active Member
i copied this from Catalina website
"We may be partial to our own product but we feel these are the best Retro Kits on the market. Built strong and ready to mount in your existing canopy or hood. Three Mogul socket and reflectors – three 175w bulbs. Three 12 foot quick connect. Two grounded 6'power cord. Two Electronic ballast- includes 1 dual ballast and 1 single ballast (magnetic available upon request)
***On all of our retro's the Socket and reflector come premounted on a sheet of aluminum so all you have to do is mount the Kit plug it in and your done!****
Demensions of each socket and reflector are 17x8x3.5"
so it says they are now using Electronic Ballast.
"We may be partial to our own product but we feel these are the best Retro Kits on the market. Built strong and ready to mount in your existing canopy or hood. Three Mogul socket and reflectors – three 175w bulbs. Three 12 foot quick connect. Two grounded 6'power cord. Two Electronic ballast- includes 1 dual ballast and 1 single ballast (magnetic available upon request)
***On all of our retro's the Socket and reflector come premounted on a sheet of aluminum so all you have to do is mount the Kit plug it in and your done!****
Demensions of each socket and reflector are 17x8x3.5"
so it says they are now using Electronic Ballast.
stanlalee
Active Member
Originally Posted by Culp
http:///forum/post/2974003
i copied this from Catalina website
"We may be partial to our own product but we feel these are the best Retro Kits on the market. Built strong and ready to mount in your existing canopy or hood. Three Mogul socket and reflectors – three 175w bulbs. Three 12 foot quick connect. Two grounded 6'power cord. Two Electronic ballast- includes 1 dual ballast and 1 single ballast (magnetic available upon request)
***On all of our retro's the Socket and reflector come premounted on a sheet of aluminum so all you have to do is mount the Kit plug it in and your done!****
Demensions of each socket and reflector are 17x8x3.5"
so it says they are now using Electronic Ballast.
I just checked their site. they still offer magnetic by request but those E-ballast kits are newer versions. I'd actually feel more comfortable using magnetic as the components are easily replaceable and proven to offer years of trouble free service but the price is right and lets face it a whole electronic ballast can be had for $50 more than a bare magnetic.
http:///forum/post/2974003
i copied this from Catalina website
"We may be partial to our own product but we feel these are the best Retro Kits on the market. Built strong and ready to mount in your existing canopy or hood. Three Mogul socket and reflectors – three 175w bulbs. Three 12 foot quick connect. Two grounded 6'power cord. Two Electronic ballast- includes 1 dual ballast and 1 single ballast (magnetic available upon request)
***On all of our retro's the Socket and reflector come premounted on a sheet of aluminum so all you have to do is mount the Kit plug it in and your done!****
Demensions of each socket and reflector are 17x8x3.5"
so it says they are now using Electronic Ballast.
I just checked their site. they still offer magnetic by request but those E-ballast kits are newer versions. I'd actually feel more comfortable using magnetic as the components are easily replaceable and proven to offer years of trouble free service but the price is right and lets face it a whole electronic ballast can be had for $50 more than a bare magnetic.
culp
Active Member
well right now im leaning towards buying the Catalina metal halides and than buy a 2 x 80 watt tek T5 retrofit with two Pure Actinic bulbs. to go over the 72" 125 gallon tank i just bought with my tax return.
i figure with the Catalina Metal Halide's i can just buy them now and use then and slowly replace the parts to better ones over the course of a couple years.
i figure with the Catalina Metal Halide's i can just buy them now and use then and slowly replace the parts to better ones over the course of a couple years.