Blue wave vs galaxy!!
- Thread starter Supreme Reefs
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Urban Reef
Coral Addict
I run my radiums on Galaxy ballasts. I believe the Blue Wave ballast is magnetic while the Galaxy is electronic. Both are nice ballasts though.
luke33
2500 Club Member
The blue wave 3 and 7 are m80 magnetic ballasts and are for HQI bulb's. They make the bulb's less blue and more white. The galaxy are electronic and are better for SE bulb's. They will make the bulb look more blue. The m80 drives the bulb to around 360w for 250w mh's. The galaxy drives the bulb around 260w for a 250w mh. The blue wave's are not being made anymore, but both are very solid performers.
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Supreme Reefs
Zoa Crazy!
Thanks everyone for your input!
Luke- thanks for the info and specs on them
i want a brighter look to my radiums but still keep it blue. I think the hamiltons im running on them now arent doing it for me. You think the bluewaves will be able to run them a little brighter?
Luke- thanks for the info and specs on them
i want a brighter look to my radiums but still keep it blue. I think the hamiltons im running on them now arent doing it for me. You think the bluewaves will be able to run them a little brighter?
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rangerD275
New Member
250w's I assume? 250w Radiums are designed to be over driven by a magnetic or HQI ballast. The Radiums will have a very blue windex look on galaxy ballasts (I used to use this combo) and will alternatively be very crisp white/ blue using blue wave. If you are dead set on radiums, go with the blue wave. If you think you will be changing bulbs go with a galaxy as it will run all other moguls to spec.
Radiums are made to run on 250W pulse start ballast (ANSI M138) or HQI (ANSI M80), Galaxy is another good option but the color will be more blue and the par output will be less.
It is really hard to find the HQI m80 ballast.
It is really hard to find the HQI m80 ballast.
When I ran dual radiums on my 90 I used a galaxy dual ballast. I thought it looked more of a crisp white. I really liked it.
the galaxy/radium combo is one of the most used and popular setups out. I think you will be happy.
the galaxy/radium combo is one of the most used and popular setups out. I think you will be happy.
Lazys Coral House
Well-Known Member
The Pulse Start Blue Wave Ballast will run the Radium as it is designed. For example a 400w Radium on Pulse Start Ballast will run at 360w. Those that run them on e-Ballast at 400w or sometimes as high as 440w for ballasts like Galaxy or Lumatek. They will run a bit whiter and very bright. Brighter then any other 20k bulb. This is why people like them including me. However they will reduce intensity very fast. Your lucky if you get 6 months out of them if overdriven. (anything above 360w)
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Supreme Reefs
Zoa Crazy!
Which models of the blue waves are pulse start? Sorry im new at ballast
Also what is the latest version of the blue waves and the differences between the different versions?
Lazys Coral House
Well-Known Member
Typically it will tell you when you buy it. Here is one for example. 129$ for a dual 400w. Clearance SB-BW2-400DP Premium Aquatics
They are cheaper, inefficient ballasts. Also very noisy and run really hot. I would stay away from them.
They are cheaper, inefficient ballasts. Also very noisy and run really hot. I would stay away from them.
Prozium
Active Member
bluewave 1's are m138, blue wave 2's are dual m138, blue wave 3's are m80, and bluewave 7's are dual m80 (I beleve.)
bluewave 1's and 2's are pulse start, not sure about 3's and 7's (there HQI is all I know)
link to ballasts on PA
they do not come with the lamp cord, so here is the link to that.
bluewave 1's and 2's are pulse start, not sure about 3's and 7's (there HQI is all I know)
link to ballasts on PA
they do not come with the lamp cord, so here is the link to that.
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Supreme Reefs
Zoa Crazy!
I have this one 4' Cebu Sun - 2 Metal Halides & 4 - 54 Watt T5 HO Actinics, Hamilton Technology Corp. - SalesAquarium supplies&Aquarium lighting by Hamilton Technology it has the cord with the 3 prongs and 2 of them are flat. I think they are the same one that will fit in the ballasts.
BTW how do you like the performance of the ballasts? Are they loud?
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