So which ballast then??

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

I guess it depends how handy you are with your hands (DIY)...

The safest route is Icecap -- allows you change your mind on the fly. It will drive PCs, VHOs, NOs, HOs and most tubes under the sun (2 feet to 8 feet). Like the stock market, less risk means you pay a premium for this stuff. There is still a bit of DIY...but it is manageable.

Another route is Hellolights(a.k.a.lampsnow). They are considerably cheaper, but they do have limitations. Mainly, they can only drive VHOs and maybe HOs. That's it... Their VHOs may not last as long...but that remains to be seen (the 6 months thing).

Okay...the other routes are DIY Albrite. You can purchase an electronic VHO or HO ballast from them (I think they run from $60 to $100 each). They will run the VHOs to its design intent -- the questions is that better or worse for VHO...I guess Darren will find out. HO ballasts will basically emmulate what an Icecap is doing...slightly less output than regular VHO but the output is more consistent over time.

Another alternative is ODNO (Overdrive NO. I think very few people are thinking of doing this and even fewer are actually doing it. You can get VHO lighting for less...and using less room in your hood.

Hope that helps. But...just the Icecap ballast costs as much as a MH/MV setup....so that's something to think about. I would just get the MH. Its a bit more expensive...but then you don't have to wonder..."do I have enough lights". AND it will save you money in the end.

- Victor.