pbnj Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 (edited) I've been asking around about ballasts. I was going to get the new Lumatek ballasts that can be switched between 250W-400W (in case I ever wanted to go up to 400W) but I know now that I'm sticking with 250W bulbs. Which of these would be the best choice for a system running 250W Reeflux 10K bulbs with LumenBright (mogul) reflectors? a) CoralVue 250W Single Electronic Ballast b) CoralVue 250W Dimmable Electronic Ballast c) IceCap 250W Electronic Ballast Also.... Question #1: If using LumenBrights, are the power cords (socket to ballast) all plug-&-play for each of these, or will some require special wiring? Question #2: Why do the CoralVue Dimmables state "Recommended not to use these electronic ballasts with GFCI" in the description? Edited March 21, 2010 by pbnj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefman Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I have CoralVue and IceCap are definitely brighter. I have the two side-by-side with the same bulbs and there is a definitely difference. As far as the dimmable one, that one will only work the dimmable part with a certain controller, one that I had heard of before and not any of the well known ones (like profilux, reefkeeper, autonautica, etc.). When I get a few hundred to spare I plan on buying another icecap and just keep the coralvue as a spare for back-up. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 I have CoralVue and IceCap are definitely brighter. I have the two side-by-side with the same bulbs and there is a definitely difference. As far as the dimmable one, that one will only work the dimmable part with a certain controller, one that I had heard of before and not any of the well known ones (like profilux, reefkeeper, autonautica, etc.). When I get a few hundred to spare I plan on buying another icecap and just keep the coralvue as a spare for back-up. Stephen Thanks very much for the response, but I think you're mistaken about the dimmables. I'm pretty sure there's just a knob that turns it up or down. I got a demonstration when I was at Austin Aqua Farms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 Thanks very much for the response, but I think you're mistaken about the dimmables. I'm pretty sure there's just a knob that turns it up or down. I got a demonstration when I was at Austin Aqua Farms. you are right for the lumatek dimmables - its a knob on the side of the ballast where you can select the wattage. I'm running 2 of the lumteks (non-dimmables) and they are great. I don't hear them start up and my corals are very happy underneath them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I've not had a single problem from my IceCaps in the 5 years they have been running, oh and they were USED when I got them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I just ordered 2 of the lumatek 250 watt dimmables. Should be here Monday. Since the cord to the moguls are bare wire I'll need to re-wire the moguls. I'll be unning 250W 14K SPS bulbs until I get some 20K Reeflux bulbs. You are welcomed to come check them out once I get them up and running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 I just ordered 2 of the lumatek 250 watt dimmables. Should be here Monday. Since the cord to the moguls are bare wire I'll need to re-wire the moguls. I'll be unning 250W 14K SPS bulbs until I get some 20K Reeflux bulbs. You are welcomed to come check them out once I get them up and running. What's the difference between the standard and non-standard lamp cords for the Lumateks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefman Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 Sorry about that. You are right, I was thinking about IceCap's dimmable VHO ballasts. The dimmable MH ballast is the knob on the side. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 I just noticed the Lumatek 250W Dimmable ballast has an 'HQI' setting. Does this mean this ballast can be used to overdrive a Radium bulb? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 I just noticed the Lumatek 250W Dimmable ballast has an 'HQI' setting. Does this mean this ballast can be used to overdrive a Radium bulb? Someone on RC, whose opinion I respect, told me I could use the HQI setting to overdrive bulbs. Looks like I can use this ballast and test/compare the Reeflux and Radium bulbs. ARC never fails to deliver....thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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