What is more important for better lighting ?

sh2000

sh2000

Member
What is more importqnt for better quality lighting a name brand bulb like hamilton with a poor ballast ? or a name brand ballast like a coralvue ballast with a generic bulb ?
 
mie

mie

Active Member
From the little i do know about lighting, you should spend the money and buy quality stuff.
 
A

allenk

Guest
Having worked with this hobby off and on for a number of years, the one thing I have learned is do it right the first time. It will save you money in the long run. Lighting is the most expensive piece of equipment. I started out thinking I could get off cheap by getting 4 x 65 watt power compact lighting. A few years later, I realize that I was limited in what I could do with that type of lighting. So, now I have a 2 x 175 MH with 2 x 95 watt PC. If I would have just bit the bullet at the beginning, would have saved me a couple hundred dollars.
Buy quality and you won't be as likely to need to upgrade in the future. Why take a chance with inferior bulbs or inferior ballasts. If you have problems with coral growth or algae growth, you will have to determine whether your inferior equipment might be the cause of the problem. Just get good lighting and take that issue out of the equation if future problems arise.
 
coachklm

coachklm

Active Member
Originally Posted by SH2000
http:///forum/post/2474588
What is more importqnt for better quality lighting a name brand bulb like hamilton with a poor ballast ? or a name brand ballast like a coralvue ballast with a generic bulb ?

It's cheaper to replace a bulb then a ballast.
 
A

allenk

Guest
Of course, a cheaper ballast may not last as long. Further, if you have trouble with your bulbs, you will be asking yourself whether it is the bulb that is the problem or whether the inferior ballast is causing problems with your bulb.
Buying quality, patience, and planning will save you money in the long run in this hobby.
 
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