thanks goby - i had a quick read- the icecap electronic ballasts seem to be the most efficient out of that group but it looks like all electronic ballasts perform similarly.

cheapest dual 175w eballast i could find was a blueline unit for $169 US or i could go with two single vertex 175w units for $100.

fingers crossed some you rich Albertans/BC'ers are clearing out your old halide units to help a poor Ontario reefer out :mrgreen: I hear LED is the way to go guys! :lol:

Delphius - how many reef optix reflectors do you have? are they single end and will they take 175w bulbs?

Just an FYI, the Vertex are supposedly clones of the Icecap...potentialy from the same factory, rebranded.

I have heard this from several sources including staff at JL.

yeah i read that somewhere as well. Now that Icecap is no more i am hesitant to purchase their wares for who knows if they will be revived or if the new owners will honor old warranties. Vertex is a notorious re-brander but they at least rebrand the good stuff :)

going to keep my eyes out for some good quality used reflectors and cords. I wont be ready for full lights for a couple months still. thanks for all the help guys :)