MH lighting page is up

[loganj]

Check out the new [acronym:914fd3812a="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:914fd3812a] lighting page at Captive Raised Corals. Just got it up tonight. More products will be added soon, but the basics are there now. I think you'll like the products and the prices. Thanks!

[reefrunner69]

I noticed there is no price difference in the 175W [acronym:908bbfa7cf="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:908bbfa7cf] ballast and the 250W Ballast...typo?

[loganj]

Nope...there is $2.00 difference in the 175w and 250w ballast prices. You can get them in either 110 volt or 220 volt.

[dustybrannum]

In actual usefulness is there much difference between the mogul base and HQI type bulbs? Plus advantages and disadvantages of each IYO. thanks

[loganj]

The HQI is supposed to be more intense. I have never used them, but I'm sure you can get plenty of opinions from those who have. I know the HQI has to have a glass shield to filter out all the [acronym:8ebcd2f67f="Ultra Violet"]UV[/acronym:8ebcd2f67f] where the mogul doesn't. Some folks say they have had issues with bulb life using the HQI fixtures...again, I can't comment based on personal experience.

[acronym:8ebcd2f67f="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:8ebcd2f67f], for most applications, the mogul based bulbs would be sufficient. They last a long time and do not have to have a shield. There is, as you have probably noticed, a considerable price difference as well...the moguls are much cheaper. If I was going to set up another tank here, I'd go with mogul bulbs simply because they're cheaper and will do the job just fine. I really can't think of any disadvantage to them as opposed to the HQI's.

[dustybrannum]

Thanks. I will probably go with the moguls for as you said they seem easier and cheaper to deal with. Still waiting to finish up my room though. Good thing I am a patient person and do not give up easily.

[Biggen]

You don't carry any of the magnetic coil ballasts do you, logan? Reason I ask, is that they are dirt cheap. Picked mine up for around $40. Don't know if you can move any, but I thought for the price you should be able to sell some.

[loganj]

I'm working on that. I think that the electronics offer enough advantages to make them worthwhile although, I will be offering some core/coil ballasts. What kind did you get and are you happy with their performance? I haven't decided exactly which ones I want to carry at this point and I'm trying really hard not to have anything on the site that isn't top quality. I want the products to be quality oriented and reasonably priced rather than cheap and substandard. Any input you or any other members have as to what you'd like to see available is most welcome and will receive my immediate attention.

[Biggen]

I use an Advance ballast and am extremely happy with it. It has been my experience with magnetic [acronym:6070697a96="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:6070697a96] ballast before that they are all built about the same. I can't say the same for electronic ones as I have never used one before.

Nice thing about the magnetic ones is their price. Once can find them online for $35-60 depending on where one looks. Second, magnetic [acronym:6070697a96="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:6070697a96] ballast will also run MV bulbs as well. Third, if you buy a multi tap ballast, it has the ability to run off various voltages and not only 110 VAC.

The downside to these ballast is they get hot, real hot. This isn't a problem so much if they are mounted in an area away from the tank and people. They also are mainly for [acronym:6070697a96="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:6070697a96]'ers as when you buy the ballast kit, all you get is the ballast, capacitor, and mounting brackets. I had to buy a J-box and install the ballast inside of that. I then bought an outlet and toggle switch and installed that into the side of the box so that I can turn the ballast on and off instead of having it hardwired.

They definitely have their pros and cons as you can see above. But I think they are worth it. I don't think they can be considered "substandard" since they have been used for years. I have a magnetic [acronym:6070697a96="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:6070697a96] ballast on one of my signs that has been operational for a few years now. I think a lot of people jumped on the "electronic ballast bandwagon" and have given the magnetic ballast a bad name for some reason. I just can't see spending $150 on a ballast when these work so well. Especially now that I have built that box for it.

[loganj]

I'll probably add PFO and CSL magnetic ballasts on the page as soon as I have the time to sit down and do it. I will look into the Advance ballasts too. The thing is, the electronics I have are very close in price to most of the magnetics that are for aquarium applications.