Metal Halide ballasts, specifically smaller

[Jynxgirl]

Like most, space is an issue.

I have hamilton ballasts right now driving a 250 Hqi and another hamilton hqi ballast that is 400W, and then an ARO 250 ballast for my third pendant. The ARO ballast seems to make the bulb brighter then my 250. The other thing I like is that its small and I can stick it on the wall under my stand. Is there any other ballasts that are small like the ARO's that are 400W? And if there are, do people like them. I am not impressed with my hamilton ballasts. They are large and bulky, and do not work as well as the ARO. My 400W ballast/bulb is blue blue blue. I wish I had one of those light meters.

There are not alot of options for the 400W HQI ballast. I want to order another ARO 250, but if I can find a 400W that is small like the ARO's that come highly recommended, would like to order it at the same time from the same place hopefully to save on shipping.

I keep hoping to get my tank set up and this 100 gallon out of my living room that was suppose to be a temporary arrangement. Four months later, its still in front of my fireplace, in its makeshift spot cuz I thought it would only be there a few weeks, and the 40 breeder is still sitting on the floor with my few fish I have left. I can't wait to get my living room back!

Thanks, Jill

[tony]

arent hamiltons magnetic and AROs electronic? i was under the impression electronics were a lot more efficient which might make up for the difference?

[Jynxgirl]

I know the ARO is electronic.

[tony]

ah i misread

[alton]

I have always had god luck with the Coral Vue Electronic Ballast. Electronic ballast will run both HQI and SE Lamps.

[caferacermike]

If you want small try IceCap. My 250w ballasts are about 8"longx4"tallx2"wide, continously tested as one of the best lighting values available. Both in efficiency and Par production. They also stay cool to the touch, not adding any heat to the environment. I have 2 of them attached to the underside of my stand and do not interfere with any of the other equipment.

[JimD]

I have always had god luck with the Coral Vue Electronic Ballast. Electronic ballast will run both HQI and SE Lamps.

I second that, Ive been running the old silver one for going on three years now, plus, CoralVue has outstanding customer service.

[Jynxgirl]

Does anyone make a 400W one this small? The will run a DE HQI bulb?

[JimD]

If you want small try IceCap. My 250w ballasts are about 8"longx4"tallx2"wide, continously tested as one of the best lighting values available. Both in efficiency and Par production. They also stay cool to the touch, not adding any heat to the environment. I have 2 of them attached to the underside of my stand and do not interfere with any of the other equipment.

I dont know whos doing the testing but, Ive had three IceCap e-ballasts take a dump in the last two years... Cost me $65 each to have them repaired.

[Jynxgirl]

I have ordered previously from Hellolights and the ARO's have a 3 year warranty. Have not had a problem with the one I have, but did have a problem with a bulb after a few weeks, and they replaced without a problem.

[matt]

What bulbs are you wanting to get ballasts for? HQI ballasts are magnetic by design, and to my knowledge there are no true HQI 400W ballasts. Lots of people like electronic ballasts for their efficiency and size, and the fact that they'll fire lots of different bulbs. In 250W, though, the HQI ballast (M80, I think) will fire the DE bulbs almost 20% brighter. It does use more electricity.

[Jynxgirl]

They are hamilton pendants, all three. I run 14k double end hamilton bulbs in all three. 2 250 pendants and 1 400 pendant. If I have to have 1 large ballast for the 400W pendant then I just have to.

[matt]

You might sashay over to reefcentral and find a marathon thread on ballast/bulb compatibility that's stickied on the lighting forum. I know I've heard of several options for the new 400W DE bulbs. Sanjay's site (also stickied on RC) might have some good info about it too.

[caferacermike]

I dont know whos doing the testing but, Ive had three IceCap e-ballasts take a dump in the last two years... Cost me $65 each to have them repaired.

Wow what a string of bad luck. I bought my Icecaps after an exhaustive search for information about ballasts. Both on this forum and 2 others, after posting questions as to what ballast to buy, the overwhelming response was "Icecap". I found the price to be a bit prohibitive for me. I continued doing more research along the lines of Sanjay and other lighting reviewers to find that the Icecap line over drives bulbs using less electricity, always bringing back the best and most consistent reviews. Still wanting them but not being able to afford them I finally found a pair offered that were used. Used for about 2 years prior to me buying them. I have close to 2 more years on those same ballasts.