E-ballast

[David Moses Heng]

Dear all, just a question here.

Are all e ballast the same? Saw that almost all hardware store are selling them and the price ranges for $ 6.50 to $40+++. Are they all the same except for the brand name? CAn anyone advise?

[uklau]

From my understanding, there are different types of ballast. Normal output ballast for T8, which requires a starter are the cheapest. T5 requires e-ballast & T5HO works better with HO e- ballast, which is quite expensive. For e- ballast, there are rapid start type & programed start type.

Better e-ballast usually has special circuitry to protect the tubes, such as the ability to cease working when the tube is end of life & reset it when replacement has been done.

[Aquaculture]

For e- ballast, there are rapid start type & programed start type.

Uklau, may I know what do u mean by a programed start type?

Thanks.

[uklau]

Programmed rapid start is a "technology" that properly heats the lamp filaments before igniting the lamps, which yields an increase in lamp life up to 50 percent in applications where the lamps are frequently switched on and off.

[David Moses Heng]

Programmed rapid start is a "technology" that properly heats the lamp filaments before igniting the lamps, which yields an increase in lamp life up to 50 percent in applications where the lamps are frequently switched on and off.

where can i get this and how much is it?

[ranmasatome]

Actually if you are going t5HO.. the Osram e-ballast should have this function already built in.

[David Moses Heng]

price?

[ranmasatome]

go ask yourself..

[David Moses Heng]

i read somewhere that halogen are also suitable for use. How effective is it?

[ranmasatome]

Halogen got e-ballast meh? *hint* *hint*

[hii]

i read somewhere that halogen are also suitable for use. How effective is it?

I guess you mean LED light, that's new series of light after T5, quite new to planted tank but marine started to use it.

Osram eballast slim and expensive compare to elbiru but it has the feature to pre warm the tube before light up (0.1 miliseconds i guess). some peope say it will increase the lifespan of the tube.

An 55w X 2 eballast coast about $6x, almost same price like Tridonic eballast.

[ranmasatome]

LED and halogen are different..

[David Moses Heng]

Halogen got e-ballast meh? *hint* *hint*

i saw some e ballast for halogen at the hardware shop at limbang shopping center. Also read about it from ah zhan web site on the type of lights suitable for aquarium.

[Shadow]

I guess you mean LED light, that's new series of light after T5, quite new to planted tank but marine started to use it.

LED light? does it have good penetration?

[David Moses Heng]

LED light? does it have good penetration?

very expensive

[David Moses Heng]

anyone can guide me to e ballast with multiple output?

[BFG]

Led technology for aquarist is still in it's infancy. T5HO currently is serving well but if for some reason you are not satisfied with your T5, the next step is over-driving. But be fore-warned that not all e-ballast can be use to over-drive and the ones I know that is available here in our country and is able to cost $xxx. And as usual, parabolic reflector is a must.

[tawauboy]

i read somewhere that halogen are also suitable for use. How effective is it?

halogen light is not suitable as it emits a lot of heat. visible light accounts a small portion whereas infra red accounts a major portion of a halogent light's radiant energy. this infra red energy will heat up your tank water.

[tawauboy]

LED light? does it have good penetration?

with sufficient light intensity, there shouldn't be any problems for a 2ft deep tank. a led torch light beam can easily illuminate the gravel from a distance of 2ft.

[tawauboy]

anyone can guide me to e ballast with multiple output?

how many outputs are you looking at?
dual output eballast are available.