[lawdog]

Anyone ever use EVC electronic ballasts? or ever shop at OceanEncounter...
here is the site http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/...&Store_Code=OE

I have decided I want electronic ballasts as I hear they allow the bulbs to last much longer than a magnetic one. I am going with you guys on this. Also much cooler operating.

I know the best system for me is the MH lights, I have just about everything else set to go for the arrival of my new tank the lights are the last major piece. I am waiting for my MR-1 as we speak or I type. I do not want any limitations on what I am going to keep. I appreciate the input from Sueet on my last thread and as I continue to search I would like any comments on the EVC electronic retro ballast or should I upgrade to the icecap. I know icecap has been around but I found a study that showed EVC ballasts in comparable performance to the icecap re: PAR value and such... similar bulbs produced similar values with both electronic ballasts.

Anyone that has used these or knows of anyone that has please chime in... also any experience with oceanencounter would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig

[zhenya]

Craig,

I've never used those ballasts so I can't comment on them.However, I've ordered many times from Vince in the past and never regret it. He's a very nice and easy guy to deal with and was always very accomodating, in my case at least.

[Reefland]

I piggy-back Gene's comments. I have never used those ballasts however I have ordered from Vince with a good experience.

[saltjunkie]

Dry-goods

Ocean Encounter specializes in high tech marine aquarium equipment. We only sell products that are proven to be reliable, we will always stand behind what we sell.


that would seem a pretty good statement to follow.......

[lawdog]

Thanks for the vote of confidence... That makes me feel better. So I took the plunge and finally ordered the lights...

After talking to Vince I felt good about the EVC products, he said they are selling like mad and he has yet to have a problem with one of them since he started carrying them. He said they fire great and can handle the HQI bulbs as well if I want to later switch over to PFO HQI mini pendants or something...

So I ordered two of the EVC retro kits 250W with 20K bulbs to start, Vince said he would run those and maybe switch to 10K later on, the 20K have a nice blue/white look he said... I can't wait to try them out.

Quick question, I know they say you should use some sort of UV shield over the tank with MH lights. What would you guys suggest for a good DIY or store bought UV shield material to cover my tank holes. MY 120 is acrylic so I have two seperate holes in the top. Should I just cover each hole with something or cover the whole tank top?

Thanks...

-Craig

[Reefland]

Craig,

Are you going with Mogule based or Double-Ended bulbs? Mogule base do not need any type of shield as the outer envelope of the bulb gaurds against UV. Double-Ended bulbs do need a shield and currently, there are not any "retro" kits available for these. The pendents are the only thing I know sold with DE kits and they have the shield in them.

[lawdog]

Thanks Reefland... I am using the mogul bases so I guess no UV shield is needed, thanks for the Help... as far as the HQI "retro kits" I thought or was under the impression that the PFO mini pendants HQI were able to be mounted in a canopy. OceanEncounter sells a "retro" Hqi kit with the mini pendants that I guess can be mounted... anyone know?

[Poseidon]

I bought my Halides from Vince too... They are great to deal with. As far as the HQI kit, sorry can't help you there, I have the Mogul bulbs myself and they work great for me. I need to add a third bulb sometime soon, and I'm sure ocean encounter will be my first stop...

[Reefland]

Yes the mini pendents can be mounted inside a canopy; they have screw holes in the top of them.