Should be an easy question.

[tizzo]

My MH ballast burnt out...Sooooo I get to upgrade!!!:jumping: :jumping:
Questions...
1) What's the diff between Blue-Line, Blue-Wave and Ice-Cap??
2) Which do you recommend?
My tank is currently 24" deep.
3) Should I go with 250watt or 400 and why???
Please, somebody with knowledge, give me an answer cause I won't buy til I know for sure.
Someday I hope to upgrade to a bigger tank, so that may be a consideration.
I am trying to keep stonies, and I would like to have them through-out the tank. Not just up near the surface.

 

[zanemoseley]

Are they all electronic? Magnetic's run bulbs a bit better but produce more heat from the ballast and use more electricity. A lot of people will only use magnetic ballasts. A magnetic HQI ballast would be nice so you could run 250 DE bulbs, they're suppose to put out almost as much light as a 400 SE bulb.

 

[tizzo]

I believe that the Ice-cap and Blue line (don't know if blue wave is the same thing) are hybrid. They are labled as electronic. Magnetic is what I already had and it burned out on me. The hubby wants Ice-cap. He thinks it would help with the electric bill, but I just don't know.

 

[zanemoseley]

There are no hybrids, they're either electronic or magnetic however there are several types of magnetic ballasts for firing multiple types of MH bulbs. IceCap electronics are great but they're pricy. You will spend less on your electric bill but its also going to produce slightly less PAR/light. For the light they do push out they are more efficient than a mag. ballast. You're going to have to weigh the advantages/disadvantages of both including starting costs, running costs, flexiblity of ballast. I forgot to mention a electronic ballast can push all MH bulbs I know of including standard american bulbs, european bulbs and DE bulbs. Are you sure your ballast is fried and its not just the ignitor in the bulb?

 

[tizzo]

Yeah, I changed out the bulb with no avail. But don't push the issue... The hubby thinks it's the ballast. So wether it is or not, I don't care... I want to get a bigger ballast. Now, it's only for 175 watts. So... It's broken!! Got it?? Broken I tell ya!
LOL
aNYWAY, WHEN i CALLED THE GUY AT THE LIGHTING PLACE, HE'S THE ONE WHO TOLD ME THAT iCECAPS ARE HYBRIDS. hE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE ELECTRONIC, BUT ALL BALLASTS HAVE SOME MAGNETIC.
Awe geez.. Sorry bout that!!
Anywho, the one he's trying to sell me is very cheap. Kinda odd huh??
Money is not an issue with this decision. So with that in mind, which would YOU get??
And for which wattage??

 

[msd2]

Originally posted by Tizzo
Yeah, I changed out the bulb with no avail. But don't push the issue... The hubby thinks it's the ballast. So wether it is or not, I don't care... I want to get a bigger ballast. Now, it's only for 175 watts. So... It's broken!! Got it?? Broken I tell ya!
LOL
aNYWAY, WHEN i CALLED THE GUY AT THE LIGHTING PLACE, HE'S THE ONE WHO TOLD ME THAT iCECAPS ARE HYBRIDS. hE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE ELECTRONIC, BUT ALL BALLASTS HAVE SOME MAGNETIC.
Awe geez.. Sorry bout that!!
Anywho, the one he's trying to sell me is very cheap. Kinda odd huh??
Money is not an issue with this decision. So with that in mind, which would YOU get??
And for which wattage??
I have had great luck with my IceCaps. My only concern w/going to 400 would be heat, thats a serious jump from 175. Are you hoping to start running more/different corals with the additional lumens? If your looking to maintain why not stick w/250 and not have to deal with heat concerns, unless your already running a chiller.

 

[van888]

I also like the Icecaps. I have 2 mounted under my stand and they stay cool. Light output is great. I would buy again.

 

[zanemoseley]

If money was no option, I'd get the icecap and run some 250 DE's. They're almost as good as 400 SE.

 

[squidd]

Originally posted by Tizzo
Yeah, I changed out the bulb with no avail. But don't push the issue... The hubby thinks it's the ballast. So wether it is or not, I don't care... I want to get a bigger ballast. Now, it's only for 175 watts. So... It's broken!! Got it?? Broken I tell ya!
LOL

I like the way you think...:hilarious
Blue Wave ballasts come either electronic or magnetic depending on wattages or transformer choice...
Ice Cap are electronic ...
Have you looked at PFO ballasts...? (electric or magnetic)...
Electronic vs. Magnetic will be your choice concidering the power consumption vs. power out put issues...
I would suggest a Duel 250 watt PFO HQI ballast with two 250 watt DE bulbs over your tank...
( Yeah, Yeah, That's what you NEED... Much better than that stupid old broken 175 that doesn't work anyway... )

 

[tizzo]

I am not 100% sure, because I bought them used, but I believe what I have now are PFO's, magnetic. I hate to replace something that broke early with the exact same brand. Guess I'm wierd like that... If the Chevy dies, I won't ever get another one. I got this one from the "depot" people. It was all inclusive. But when I look through their catalog, their DIY ballasts are the same ones that broke in mine. Besides they are cheap. And I kinda have that..."You get what you pay for" idea. I don't wanna change out my ENTIRE hood. All I wanna replace is the ballasts and the light-bulbs.

 

[zanemoseley]

Well if you don't wanna change out the sockets, that rules out the DE's. I'm not sure if you will be able to hook up your existing socket/wiring from the PFO's to the Icecap. Does the wiring you have now use the quick disconnects?