Which Hello Light Ballast?

[TexasState]

I'm looking at the Hello Light MH kit. What's the difference btwn running the electronic ballast vs. the regular m58/H57 ballast. How hot to the touch does the M58 ballast get?
If I remember correctly, the XM bulb is designed to be run on M58/H57 ballast. So, getting the M58 ballast seems to be the logical choice. But for some reason I have a preference for electronic ballast.

[witecap4u]

The electronic ballast are more efficient and supposedly will fire any bulb(mogul or HQI). They supposedly run cooler, however, I have never ran one, but I do know that my Hamilton ballast gets pretty hot. Not hot enough to start a fire, but I wouldnt hold my had on it too long, and when I open the door to my stand, its probably 100+ in there just air temp.
BTW, I dont think(i could be wrong) Hellolights M58/57 ballasts are boxed either, so you would have to get a box for them and wire them up, since you just get the raw components. If you have the money, I would go electronic. You can get a 250W Icecap for like 125 and the hellolights/ARO ballast for 139, unless it goes on sale.

[TexasState]

Thank for the Tip! I didn't even think about that they might need to be in a box. The FAQ on Hello Light's website said that they come w/ bracket. I guess the bracket is for mounting inside a box. I woulnd't put those Hamilton ballast under your stand. I did that b4, the inside of my stand feels like an oven. I think the PFO ballast are cooler running.

[witecap4u]

It wouldnt "have" to be in a box, you could mount it in your canopy, or stand possibly, but you would have wires hanging around it. The Electonic ballast have less wires to deal with though.

I've got the Hamilton in my stand now, since I dont have a sump on this tank, but I've been leaving the door open a ways. I am probably going to go with a Dual 400 PFO on my 100G when I get it setup.