P
pirate_bob
Guest
I'm kinda hung up on which one I should get for my 400watt MH setup I'm starting.
Which one do you guys/girls feel is better?
Which one do you guys/girls feel is better?
cap'n pete
Member
Pirate Bob,
That's very subjective. Electronic ballasts are "better" because they run cooler, are more efficient, and extend lamp life. They are also a lot more expensive. Depending on what bulb you are looking to run, a magnetic ballast might be just fine. As with everything else, quality depends on brand name also. A $300 electronic ballast may be "best" but might very well be overkill and totally unnecessary.
Now that I've confused you more, I'm leaving.
That's very subjective. Electronic ballasts are "better" because they run cooler, are more efficient, and extend lamp life. They are also a lot more expensive. Depending on what bulb you are looking to run, a magnetic ballast might be just fine. As with everything else, quality depends on brand name also. A $300 electronic ballast may be "best" but might very well be overkill and totally unnecessary.
Now that I've confused you more, I'm leaving.
broncofish
Active Member
3 to 2 ehhh? there has got to be more MH owners out there.
richard rendos
Active Member
I agree with BigMac on this one. I have had e-ballasts and magnetics. The e-ballasts are not the way to go IMO. If you are running a AquaController or anything that uses X-10's, the e-ballasts will make them go nuts. When I had my e-ballasts, my aquacontroller was turning everything on and off at random. I tried adding power filters,etc. nothing seemed to help. I also think that magnetic ballasts in general drive bulbs better.
Now if BigMac and I could just see eye to eye on skimmers.....hmmm.
Now if BigMac and I could just see eye to eye on skimmers.....hmmm.
P
pirate_bob
Guest
Ok thankyou for the help.. right now a have a magnetic ballast vho on my 150... but thats vho's not MH's... I'll drive around have to check them out