Cheap Metal Halide

[jyoon]

This seems too simple and cheap, but why can't one go to home depot, buy a 175W Phillips metal halide bulb ($20), stick it into an appropriately rated reflector ($15) and turn it on? why are all the metal halide lighting systems out there so expensive? do you need an expensive ballast? please excuse the ignorance.

 

[mr . salty]

There is a bit more to it than that.And YES,You do need a ballast.But fear not,there is a CHEAP online retro kit avalible.Go to http://www.aquaticlight.com./ I have bought two of the 175watt kits here,and am totally satisfied.I did however upgrade to better bulbs...

 

[nosmada]

you can find a ballast from Advance. they run about $50 for a 250 watt. they will also run iwasaki bulbs. then you can p/u a mogul base for about $9.00. check with your local lighting store. home depot doesnt carry ballasts for MH. the phillips bulbs are also only 4000k.
hth,
chris

 

[raymac]

Advanced?
Can you please give some more detail on this one?
Thanks, Ray

 

[nosmada]

Advance ballast. modle #71A5770-001D $47.44
<a href="http://www.advancetransformer.com/" target="_blank">http://www.advancetransformer.com/</a>
View Datasheet Lamp Type Lamp Watt ANSI Code Freq. Catalog # Circuit Dim A Dim B Core & Coil Figure Avg. Watts Ballast Type
MH 250 M58 60 71A5770 CWA 1.60 3.15 4 1/4 x 4 3/4 (2 coil) 298 QUAD
Leviton porcelan mogul base #8678 #9.95

 

[biggdriver]

I b0ught a 400 watt MH diy kit included the bulb, ballast, and mogul socket with reflector for only 124.00 That's a steal..The said the bulbs are hamilton 6500k e-mail me for info timmk@charter.net

 

[psumba]

I have a question.
Please excuse my ignornace on this matter...
How come you need a ballast?
What does it actually do?
Is it a transformer of sorts?

 

[dburr]

That is what fires up your bulb and keeps it running.

 

[fender]

This setup is hangin over my tank. Very happy with it and the author provided parts numbers are dead on.
<a href="http://www.rpi.edu/dept/union/aquarium/public_html/DIY_MH.html" target="_blank">http://www.rpi.edu/dept/union/aquarium/public_html/DIY_MH.html</a>