Have you heard of this ballast?

[cheletnjared]

Omegatron, or others with ballast preformance knowledge,
I am finding that my current ballast, given to me a few years ago - generic brand, is running too hot and taking up too much space. I found this ballast hellolights ballast (http://www.hellolights.com/4lampvhokit.html) made by hellolights. I know that they are a reputable company, and so I feel that their product should be pretty good. I have a 55 gallon tank that is 36" across the top, and am upgrading to 2 x 250w MH and was planning on supplimenting them with 4 x 36" VHO actinic's. I am sort of feeling that it is overkill on the VHO's, what do you think? If so, will 2 or 3 be sufficient for good growth with SPS in conjunction with the MH? Like an Icecap, the Hellolights ballasts come in 1,2,3 or 4 bulb configuration. Would you recomment the hellolights ballast OR would you just go with an Icecap 430, or if 4 bulbis is the recommendation the Icecap 660? Planning on purchacing tomorrow, or the next day.

Thanks in advance - Jared.

[Chuck S]

That ballast does 4 48 inch VHO lights. You are fine with only 2 VHO with the 2 halides.

You can buy two of these and they will only cost you $79.90 to run 2 VHO lamps

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code =PFO-FLEL110&Category_Code=VHOballast

[cheletnjared]

Omega -
Does that ballast light a 36" ? I saw it earlier, but noticed the caption, "BALLAST WILL FIRE 1 - 2 to 4'VHO LAMP". Am I reading that right? Is it just 4 foot lamps, or up to 4 foot lamps?

Thanks for the heads up - Jared.

[Chuck S]

It will fire them. However I do not know how you plan to use 4 x 36watt lights and still have 2x250 halides.

I own a 55 gallon tank as well which is lit by 4 x 4ft VHO
They just fit as a 55 is only 12 inches deep and 4 feet long. You will only be able to fit one VHO on each side of the halides. Thus it will have to be the 4 footers. You can't fit 2 36 inchers on each side so you might as well go and buy what is going to fit. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Just trying to save you a few bucks! That would be the ideal setup over a 55 is the 2 halides and 2 4ft VHO actinics.

[cheletnjared]

Chuck, I just say 55 gallon since most people understand that. My tank is actually a custom acrylic tank made by TruVu, and it's dimentions are 36"l X 15"w X 20"h and is roughly 49 gallons. I also have an 18 gallon sump. If I were to go with 4 VHO's I would do 2 on either side of the MH reflector, and would place one higher than the other (not directly over) in a staggered configuration. If 2 is sufficient, and would not make that much of a difference, then it is all the easier for me.
Thanks. - Jared.

[Chuck S]

I think 2 would be sufficient.

[David Grigor]

Personally I wouldn't skimp on the VHOs. www.oceanencounter.com (http://www.oceanencounter.com) has really good retro deals on Icecap/VHO setups. While you may only need 2 now, who nows what your requirements will be ( if like me ) even 2 months from now. I like the options the Icecap configs give me even if initial costs are $40-50 more.

[Adrian]

I have been using the LN eletronic ballast for almost a year now, and so far they work great, they run cool, easy to setup, and cheap, under $200 with two 48" bulbs. I have one on my 75 and one on my prop tank and havent had a problem with either. HTH

[IrishStout]

I can second the LN ballast as well. I have one running 4-48" VHO's on my 55 and have not had a problem with it. Last I saw PA was running as special on them as well. HTH Colin