MH ballast selection

slick

slick

Active Member
What is the difference between the ballast herehttp://www.aquaticlight.com./retrofit.html#Aquatic
and the mercury vapor ballast that is in the DIY MH for $100?
I'm looking at doing a DIY MH project. I'm thinking I'm going to go with a 175w to help keep the temp down. Which Ballast is the best and which one would be the best value as I'm a little tight on $$$.
 
slick

slick

Active Member
Goldfish I haven't chosen a specific bulb yet. I want to have 2 175w probably 10k's. Any suggestions?
 
hondo

hondo

Member
the difference in the ballasts is the mercury vapor will only run a mercury vapor bulb (iwasaki) while the advance ballast on aquaticlight.com is coil and core and will run any type of bulb.
 
adrian

adrian

Active Member
Go with the PFO set up, its worth the extra $, that is if it is indeed more expensive, you get dual ballasts enclosed in a heat sink, bulbs, reflectors, and everythings already wired, all you have to do is mount the sockets and reflectors, screw in the bulbs, and plug everything in ;) And as Golfish mentioned you get much better stuff. HTH
 
blondenaso1

blondenaso1

Member
Glofish, I am sure that the PFO ballast you are talking about uses 2 of the Advanced ballast that are on the Aquatic lightings page enclosed in a heatsink. Does the $373 you quoted include bulbs? I saw the PFO setup you are talking about on ---- today for $180 minus the bulbs, so I guess you figure another 60-80 depending on what bulbs you want. Either way I don't think you can loose. Also, if you want to go another route. I have found Icecap MH-175 ballast with wire harness on ---- for around $100, 30 more for the base, and then whatever bulb, thats not to much more.
here is the auction for the PFO http://cgi.----.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=2045162869
 
falcon63

falcon63

Member
you need a m57 ballast. you can get these at any light store. i use theme with 175 watt mh ushios and these are hard bulbs to start . and work just fine. ballast $55 bulb $67 x 3 in my tank
 
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