Dual Ballast Question...

[panopticist]

Hey guys...

I'm looking at purchasing a new ballast, a dual 250w electronic Galaxy. I've been torn between a 250w and a 400w and this looks like a good compromise between the two.

I'm wondering, do I have to run both ports of the ballast at the same time or can I just use one at a time?

I ask because I want to keep temps low in the warmer months by only using 1x 250w lamp. In the cooler months, I'd like to use 2x 250w lamps to increase production.

Thanks for the input.

 

[00420]

Hey guys...

I'm looking at purchasing a new ballast, a dual 250w electronic Galaxy. I've been torn between a 250w and a 400w and this looks like a good compromise between the two.

I'm wondering, do I have to run both ports of the ballast at the same time or can I just use one at a time?

I ask because I want to keep temps low in the warmer months by only using 1x 250w lamp. In the cooler months, I'd like to use 2x 250w lamps to increase production.

Thanks for the input.

i dont know about the electronic galaxy but most dual ballast for reeftanks use 2 power cords or switchs to turn each one on n off.... the dual 600 if i remember right only ran 1 and could not be ran the way you are wanting to..

this is something that your gonna have to google more then likely if you have not bought allready i would look to www.reefcentral.com they have a fourm for buy/selling you can probly pick a few 250's or 175's cheap everyone in the salt water tank biz is switching to T5's just keep a eye out for waht you buy some are pulsestart ( witch can be good for the fact they will run CMH bulb's)

peace n good luck

 

[pineappaloupe]

I would imagine that you have to run both lamps at the same time. the whole purpose behind a dual ballast is to use one coil/core (i forget the technical term), the expensive part, to run a set of ignitors and capacitors (which are dirt cheap). they might even have one over powered circuit that just splits at the end. i had a dual 600 hps, magnetic ballast that was nothing but trouble. I never bothered to open it up and look inside, didnt want to void the warranty when all i wanted was to have sun system give me 2 normal ballasts. fuck sunlight supply's ballasts btw... their aluminum core stuff is complete trash. go with CAP

 

[panopticist]

Sweet. Thanks for the replies dudes.

@ Pineappaloupe: When you say Sunlight Supply, you're referring to Galaxy's, right?
The other brand I was looking at was Lumatek. I am unfamiliar with CAP...

 

[FunkBomb]

I have both a 250w SS1 magnetic and 400w electronic Galaxy both from Sunlight Supply and have never had a problem with either one, ever.

-Funk