which type of ballast

I bought 2 aqua-medic 48" 2x250 watt mh with 2 t5 lights, just the fixtures,new for 200.00 a piece. I've been looking at ballasts for them and would like to know if it would be better to buy 4 single hqi electronic ballasts or would 2 dual be o.k.? I would rather just have the duals but if single is better I will go that route. I thought the duals might have more of a heat issue but not really sure so I thought someone could give me some info before I buy.

 

anybody?

 

So the 2x250 which you have two of, are these going on the same tank?

Regardless, I would do two dual ballasts. I would plan ahead in regards to lamps as certain ballasts will color lamps differently, not ever lamp will look the same with every ballast!

Good luck!

 

I also would do dual ballasts. If the ballast should take a crap, you'll at least have the other one to light up the tank. If you get the single style, your screwed. Luna

 

I thought about singles because of failure, but went dual. Dual frees up a space on my controller. Less plugs are always good.

 

I chose dual for the same reason...

 

Yes, both lights are going on the same tank. What bothers me is from the mh light to the end of the fixture is roughly 10" and when you put the 2 fixtures over the tank you have around 20" in the center of the tank with no light above. will the center of the tank get plenty of light with that much space in-between the mh bulbs?

I was thinking 2 ballasts in 1 enclosure=more heat,higher temp,less life but hoping to do dual for less space/plugs.Thanks for the info guys.

 

I bought a dual Galaxy 250W ballast. You should know the cord caps are proprietary, and require a Sunlight Supply type cord to be compatible with the ballast. That goes for the Galaxy and the BlueWave line of ballast. I'm happy with the ballast.

I don't know if I agree with the "but if it goes bad . . ." rationale for swaying my decision either way. If a dual goes bad, chances are only one "side" bites the dust, but you're still probably replacing the whole unit. To put it differently, if one side goes bad, it might as well be both sides. You're out the whole unit while replacement or repair is done. That would make the dual a greater headache than two singles--NOT the other way around.

If you go with singles, and one takes a dump, you have the other while you repair or replace the bad one.

That argument aside, I bought the dual because I preferred it taking up less space, and the dual was cheaper than 2 single ones. I trust electronic ballasts enough that cost and space-saving were the only variables in the equasion.

 

Thanks Reefsparky for the info. I have looked at both the galaxy and bluewave and noticed that it took a different cord. I have also been looking at the icecap but they only come in singles.
How much trouble would it be to repair a ballast,I have never seen the inside of a ballast fixture but if it's like light fixtures and computers there's not much to it and can be diy repaired very cheap.