lighting for dummies 101
Christy the Icecap ballast just runs bulbs more efficiently thus getting the most out of the bulb. A N.O. bulb wouldn't put out the 110W of a VHO bulb but I've heard figures as high as 80W. I don't know if there are figures on par and lumens. Dana Riddle recently posted huge drop offs in par and lumens in the first month life of VHO so I'd assume this goes for flourescent as well.
You don't need VHO if you have MH. Get yourself a two bulb N.O. ballast for ~$15 and wire up the endcaps. Use two N.O. actinic bulbs on one timer and your MH on a second timer. Unless the ballasts are 175W I'd go with Iwasaki bulbs because replacing bulbs up here is expensive There is a 10000k 175W bulb that isn't too much more than the Iwasaki but you also have to consider bulb life.
|