Opinions wanted

Pro_builder · 12-14-2003, 12:12 AM

How much better are ARO ballasts than the Magnetic ones, for MH?
Thanks in advance

wooddood · 12-14-2003, 05:48 AM

dont know troy but i'll bet maxx does,sorry.

Pro_builder · 12-14-2003, 08:03 AM

I was hoping that Maxx would chime in here on this one. He seems to have a lot of knowledge on this type of thing.

jks1 · 12-14-2003, 08:53 AM

i had sent some email to a couple of companies about retros and they all certainly recommended this ballast. I think the main thing is they can run any bulb.

wooddood · 12-14-2003, 10:09 AM

thank john,im taggin along on this.

Pro_builder · 12-14-2003, 10:17 AM

ok, thanks for all info.

tankgirl · 12-14-2003, 11:01 AM

Hi Pro, don't know if this will help?
A ballast comparison (scroll down past the bulb comparison);
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

fisheye · 12-14-2003, 11:01 AM

The ARO will infact run any type bulb and run it well. They also are electronic and have manufacture backed 3 year warranty and offer an Energy Savings - up to 25%. What that means is that up to 25% more of the power is used and not wasted as it is on a Magnetic type ballast. Think of it this way,try touching a Magnetic ballast the heat will burn your hand bad then try touching a electronic ballast it may be hot but you can actully hold it. Now think of that heat as electricity.While the Magnetic ballast may waste power it does however seem to typicaly make some bulbs whiter than when compared to an electronic ballast. Magnetic Pulse start ballast should fire all types of bulbs (with the exception of the ever so temper mental over rated Radium).Magnetic Probe start should fire bulbs(not HQI) up to 10k and all XM.Coralvue and any other bulbs specified to run on the Probe start(m57,m58,h57,m59) ballast. Also these ballast should last almost forever and look like there used when brand new. I have availability to all types . I personaly use the standard Probe start ballast with 1 400watt 20k XM,and 2 250 10k Coralvue and 4 55watt PC for sunrise and sunset effect over my 180 cube.

12-14-2003, 12:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Opinions wanted How much better are ARO ballasts than the Magnetic ones, for MH? Thanks in advance __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-14-2003, 05:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	dont know troy but i'll bet maxx does,sorry. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

12-14-2003, 08:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	I was hoping that Maxx would chime in here on this one. He seems to have a lot of knowledge on this type of thing. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-14-2003, 08:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	i had sent some email to a couple of companies about retros and they all certainly recommended this ballast. I think the main thing is they can run any bulb. __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

12-14-2003, 10:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	thank john,im taggin along on this. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

12-14-2003, 10:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	ok, thanks for all info. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-14-2003, 11:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
tankgirl Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: So. Ca Posts: 1,476 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hi Pro, don't know if this will help? A ballast comparison (scroll down past the bulb comparison); http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

12-14-2003, 11:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
fisheye Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: fl Posts: 15 View Gallery Karma Komment	The ARO will infact run any type bulb and run it well. They also are electronic and have manufacture backed 3 year warranty and offer an Energy Savings - up to 25%. What that means is that up to 25% more of the power is used and not wasted as it is on a Magnetic type ballast. Think of it this way,try touching a Magnetic ballast the heat will burn your hand bad then try touching a electronic ballast it may be hot but you can actully hold it. Now think of that heat as electricity.While the Magnetic ballast may waste power it does however seem to typicaly make some bulbs whiter than when compared to an electronic ballast. Magnetic Pulse start ballast should fire all types of bulbs (with the exception of the ever so temper mental over rated Radium).Magnetic Probe start should fire bulbs(not HQI) up to 10k and all XM.Coralvue and any other bulbs specified to run on the Probe start(m57,m58,h57,m59) ballast. Also these ballast should last almost forever and look like there used when brand new. I have availability to all types . I personaly use the standard Probe start ballast with 1 400watt 20k XM,and 2 250 10k Coralvue and 4 55watt PC for sunrise and sunset effect over my 180 cube.

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