metal halide

[slandis3]

what do you guys think?  electroinc mh ballast or magnetic? what is the better buy?

[micki]

We have electronic.  They run cooler and the lights start faster.

[Viggen]

they both work & will last for many....many years

electronic cost more up front however the run cooler & also consumer less power

I have always had excellent luck with IceCap ballasts

[aquavista99]

I use both but prefer Icecap electronic ballasts as well. IceCap electronic is bulb dependant, specially tuned for different bulbs.

Standard ballasts will run just about any bulb and is cheaper. Electronic ballasts cost more but can save you money on the electric bill.

[Simpte]

Can any electronic ballast be used to run MH bulbs with the proper "endcaps" (dont know exactly how mh works.  Been a pc guy myself since I have mostly planted tanks).

[rmstevensiii]

If I had it to do over again, I'd go with elec ballast b/c of the energy savings.  My magnetic ballast is huge and gets pretty warm. 

[Reefinmike]

go for electronic. www.hellolights.com has their aro ballasts for cheap.