Are the 96W Quad PC's reliable?

[Mako]

I'm noticing that the 96W Quad PC's have dropped in popularity lately. I'm exploring the options for lighting a nano I'm setting up soon, and keep leaning toward the costly MH route (and I am open to any used MH equipment in good shape, up to 175W, btw!).


I have eyeballed the "Current" brand 96W Quad retrofit kit for $100, but also saw the 2X55 kit at AHsupply for $110 (if you add cost of bulbs).

Which of the two would be more RELIABLE? Both will give me the light I need but I don't want a ballast or bulb crapping out on me early. I even seem to have a harder time finding replacements for the 96W Quad.

 

[antimatter]

Are you doing a 20 gallon then? One good thing about PCs over a nano is the heat issue. You can just throw it on top of your tank and be alright. I know what you mean about the declining popularity of them though. Alot of people are going T5 or MH.
I am setting up a thirty gallon and going to be using PC mainly because of the price ( and I prefer softies to SPS). If you look for used you can get them really cheap. Mine was a 2x55 for 25$. I havn't really heard of a PC bulb crapping out.

 

[Mako]

Yeah, it's the ballast that worries me. I've had N.O. electronic ballasts crap out on me after 2 years, and I've read of PC ballasts crapping out after the same time.