Radium ballast

childress5tyler · Nov 23, 2013

I run 2 250 watt radiums on PFO ballasts and I'm considering switching to galaxy or vertex ballasts because of the size and noise that the PFO ballasts put out. Would this be a recommended switch or should I suck it up and stay with my pfos

aslmx · Nov 23, 2013

I ran mine on galaxies with no problem. I have 2 for sale by the way.

childress5tyler · Nov 23, 2013

How old and how much for the pair?

aslmx · Nov 23, 2013

2 years old, both cords and boxes $150 plus shipping excellent condition

childress5tyler · Dec 5, 2013

aslmx said:
2 years old, both cords and boxes $150 plus shipping excellent condition

still availible?

Indyreefer · Dec 5, 2013

How much you asking for the pfo ballasts ?

Matt888 · Dec 5, 2013

Just keep in mind that the radium 250w bulb was meant to be driven by a PFO magnetic ballast. You can run them on a Galaxy or Lumatek electronic ballast, but it will slightly overdrive the bulb and potentially reduce lifespan and/or change the light color. I ran the 250w radiums on Lumateks for a few years without issues. Typically replaced bulbs every 7-9 months.

childress5tyler · Dec 5, 2013

I originally planned to replace the bulbs every 7-9 months as it is. Do you think that it'll effect the par?

Matt888 · Dec 5, 2013

I never measured the PAR, but saw no difference in growth or bulb color after 10 months. Some folks go 12 months before changing. I'm seriously comsidering a PAR meter for this type of data, especially since I now run 3x400w radiums over a 210g. I'd like to compare PAR after 6 months. The trouble is we don't only care about PAR from our light sources, we also want to have the correct light spectrum. There are studies that indicate light spectrum changes on "older" bulbs.

childress5tyler · Dec 5, 2013

So, would you see me having any trouble switching to galaxy ballasts?

Thanks for your input

Matt888 · Dec 5, 2013

No, you will be fine.

mixer911 · Dec 5, 2013

I personally would keep them running on the PFOs as well. I have ran 250w radium's on galaxy's in the past for a few years after my PFO died, but prefered the look of the PFO ballasts. Ran 3 400w radiums with PFOs for years on a 300g sps tank. As Matt888 said, the radiums were ment to be run on magnetic ballasts. The pfo ballast and radiums were ment for each other