Which ballast for 400w radiums

[Tracey2]

I can't decide which ballast would be best for 400W radiums. From what I have seen online, I like the SunAgro PFO HQI but I understand I would then be replacing bulbs every 6mths, I like the Sfiligoi, also HQI or I have read Lumatek or Galexy Eballast would also be good choices. Are all of these ballasts available in Ontario?

If anyone has any pictures or comments that would help, it would be appreciated.

[MikeInToronto]

Originally Posted by Tracey2

I can't decide which ballast would be best for 400W radiums. From what I have seen online, I like the SunAgro PFO HQI but I understand I would then be replacing bulbs every 6mths, I like the Sfiligoi, also HQI or I have read Lumatek or Galexy Eballast would also be good choices. Are all of these ballasts available in Ontario?

If anyone has any pictures or comments that would help, it would be appreciated.

Just something to think about. Will you be running only Radiums and never switch to a different brand? If so you will like a ANSI M135/M155 pulse start ballast. These bulbs run at 370W (or something) and not really 400W. However, if you intend to change bulbs one day, or you have never used Radiums before and are just using them because they were recommended to you - or some other reason - it might be better to go with an electronic ballast. It won't necessarily give you the best colour from your Radiums but it will leave a lot more options for you in the futureif you want to try a different brand of bulb or want to switch to DE or something else. I think most people use the Galaxy ballast for their Radiums. It gives a decent colour that people like. You can order them online. I got mine from J&L. I got the select-a-watt version because of the option to move from 250 to 400W without buying a new ballast.

[Tracey2]

Great advice, thanks. That is why I was considering the Lumatek dimmable ballast, to keep options open. Is there any reason someone would go from 400w to 250's? Does anyone have any pictures of their galexy run 400w radiums?

[lastlight]

I think the 150 and 250 fire as intended on hqi ballasts whereas the 400 is meant for electronic. I also think many run the 400s on hqi and claim the colour is even better but they burn out really fast.

[Tracey2]

I read that too and saw a picture with the hqi ballast and the colour is amazing. Can anyone post a picture with the ANSI M135/M155, galexy or other options, thanks

[MikeInToronto]

Originally Posted by Tracey2

Great advice, thanks. That is why I was considering the Lumatek dimmable ballast, to keep options open. Is there any reason someone would go from 400w to 250's? Does anyone have any pictures of their galexy run 400w radiums?

You may never use the 250W or one day you may find you don't need 400W to light your tank. Perhaps one day you will find that a newer ballast comes on the market and you want to use your Galaxy ballasts for a frag tank but only need 250W. Or, maybe a bulb will come on the market that is all the rage but only comes in 250W. Personally, if I'm going with a single ballast I'd pay the slight bit more and get the selectable ballast. If there is a dual 400W e-ballast out there you might want to save money by using that instead of 2 separate ballasts but with a dual ballast, if it fails you'll lose both bulbs whereas with 2 ballasts, you'll still have a backup. For me, I run 2x 250W Radiums. I hate the blue colour, to be honest, but I used to run 400W Iwasakis and that was really yellow (but I got amazing coral growth).
Resale on the selectable is probably better, too, but I'm not sure.

[Tracey2]

You've been doing this for awhile, haven't you, thanks again. So the galaxy would run the 400W's less blue than your 250's?