Difference between HQI, EYE, standard, and electric ballasts

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Josh23

wow
this just becomes more and more confusing.
I was thinking of running 10,000 K as they seem to be used by most reefers, although in relatity I dont know whats better for what.

Welcome to thewonderfull world of lighting Josh I ahev been reading for almost 2 years on differenttypes and the benifits of this over that and what I have found is alot of it is personal tast. you can run a Ushio on regular MH ballast and if you are happy with the look and growth fine.. if you have extra money youcan buy a more expensive ballast .. and if you are happy with the look and growth... fine :P

Take Brad for eg.. his 400 watt Ushio's started looking green to hime.. so he bought sun agor ballasts because they are suposidly better.. well they are a lot brighter now and he thinks they are more white (still waiting for the starts to stop I think) :shock:

as for VHO or PC.. it is personal choice.. VHO is almost as powerfull as PC.. (so cloes that it won't matter if you are using them for actinics) I like 10000K PC's with VHO actinics and MH to simulate the hot part of the afternoon. I have been getting wonderfull color and good growth (now that I actualy have a Ca level ) so I will stick with my set up because it works for me.

Basicly the only advice I can offer in a general sence, is to say that you need to find out your ultamate goal (as in what you want to keep down the road)... see what others that have simular ideas are doing and go from that.. at that point you will have spicific questions that will be much easyer to answer 8)


hope this didn't add to the confusion to much

Steve