400w HQI vs Electronic ballasts

[Chad W]

Hi All,
Ok I've been wrestling with this decision all weekend. Now it's time for help.
I'm in the planning stages of a 225gal. system (72"x30"x24"T). I'm thinking I will put 3-400w SE bulbs in LAIII reflectors in a DIY canopy. In addition to this I will run dual T-5's front to back in between the LAIII's for dawn/dusk lighting. If I can cram enough T-5's I'm hopeing to be able to cut my MH's to around 5-6hrs/day. For MH bulbs I'm thinking of using either the new BLV 14k's when they come out or I may do Radiums. I love the radiums on a HQI ballast but then the bank account says different every 6mo. .
So I need help with which ballasts I should go with. Would you all use a HQI or a Electronic ballast? Also does anyone know the amp draw on either of these 400w ballasts? For electronic I've heard the Blueline ballast is pretty nice. For HQI PGS has a switched standard tar and coil/HQI ballast that I have been looking at.
Any recommendations or comments as always are greatly appreciated.
Chad

[CAReefer]

I have that very same tank. Excellent choice if I may say.

Coincidentally, I have the same lights too, kinda. I am running the Hamilton 14k's on the PFO HQI mag ballasts in the LAIII reflectors. According to Sanjay's site, you take a pretty good par hit with the Electronic ballasts. The Radium 20k has better par than the hamiltons on the mag ballast. I am anxiously awaiting the BLV bulbs myself. I will probably go to the T5 supp when it is time to change out my VHO's, May 06. My problem going that direction is the shadows created by the reflectors being under the LAIII's. I run the bulbs about 12" off the surface currently. My limiting factor is the 6" wide perimeter bracing. On a side note, Low iron glass is mandatory for the viewing panes. I didn't realize just how dark 1/2" glass is. If you do go 1/2" glass MAKE SURE the perimeter bracing goes over the top of the overflow. Trust me on this one. If you need more info, shoot me a pm. Here is a pic of how they fit over a 225.


It looks like there is enough room between the reflectors for a T5, but with this distance apart, the ends are blocked by the bracing. I have since moved them closer together. One thought is to drop the T5's way down, 5 or 6" from the water surface, and maybe the shadowing won't be an issue because of the spread of the LAIII's.

HTH
Marshal

[moonpod]

electronic vs mag ballast--electronics run close to 400w mag much, much more.

electronics are smaller, cooler, lighter, and will run all comers.

With mags you MIGHT have issues with probe vs pulse start bulbs, they are much larger, they are hotter, and they use more juice, but they also generate more PAR as a generality. they are also usually cheaper.

[Chad W]

Thanks for the reply's. Do either of you know the amp draw on either of these ballasts? I have 2-20amp circuits dedicated to the tank but I'm a little worried of over loading them if I have to add a chiller. So power consumption could play a role here as well. I'm kind of leening towards HQI's but there is so many advantages to the E-ballast that I would hate to be basically paying for excess power usage when it is not needed.
Thanks,
Chad

[moonpod]

Electronics draw right around 400w, so 3.5amps or so.

the mag HQI depending on bulb can draw over 500w, so call it 4.5 amps or so.

I am going to use electronics b/c of the heat and space factor, BUT that doesn't necessarily make it the "right" choice for you.