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IM maximizing the use of the following link. It also shows a compairson of 250W ballasts. How many amps they pull on startup and when running, etc. Electronic ballasts overall are more energy efficent than tar ballasts aswell.
Go w/ an electronic ballast- They run cooler, use less energy, generally, and you can use SE, or DE bulbs if you wish later on for some more UV/intensity.
From what I understand the tar / magnetic ballasts also can run very hot and even noisey. My electronic ballast is never more than warm and dead quiet too. I was going to buy from captivereefs, but found a vendor only 15mi from my home and I thought that would be best in case I needed to return anything, etc. Very good deal, it was recommended to me by a local reefer. BTW, you will not look back once you get MH, the clarity and shimmer is amazing. Here's the link: http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2..._Code=OE&Product_Code=E2R&Category_Code=EVMHR