Metal Halide Ballast Blue Wave vs Icecap

[longhorn_20m]

I wanted to get opinions:

I'm planning on getting the Lumen Max 3

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104957.html

but I'm trying to figure out which ballast:

I have it narrowed down to Blue Wave by SS or an Icecap. Anyone have any feedback?

[gjuarez]

IceCap has a good reputation for quality. I have two IceCap 175w retros and they both work fine. Good ballast

[Louie3]

Nice site and price! fully assembeled!!!!!! i might buy this one

[longhorn_20m]

I've heard great things about the reflector. I hope it works on my 58 footprint. I just need to figure out the ballast situation now.

[akm]

It's not just the ballast, you should decide what bulb you are going to want before you buy the ballast since different ballasts run bulbs differently.

[matt]

If you're using DE 250W bulbs, there is a significant difference in the performance of the bulb between the electronic and M80 ballast. (the blue wave is M80) Sometimes this is as much as 20% more PAR with the M80, but it also uses alot more electricity. Decide what bulb you want, then go to Sanjay's site to see how it performs with both the electronic and M80 ballast; the M80 will be listed as PFO HQI or something like that.

If you want maximum light out of the bulb, go with the M80, but if your tank has plenty of light and you want to save a little money, and probably get more life out of the bulb, go for the electronic. I'm using the phoenix 14K bulb with a M80 ballast and I'm really happy with the light.

[JimD]

The M80 is a juice sucking monster! I ditched it for an e ballast and never looked back. CV Reeflux and CV e-ballast is working good so far on my 65.

[longhorn_20m]

Thanks for all the information. Is CV for Coralvue?

[JimD]

Yup