home depot MH

[jakepilot]

hey i saw metal halide ballasts, fixtures and bulbs at home depot, 175 watt for around 75$ they look like the ones in the lfs..anyone have any expierence with these? i was gonna get one and mount it in my hood...

 

[trigahappynigerog]

the difference between the one at HD and the LF$ is the HD ones are used for mostly for home and growing plants. and the ones at the LF$ are bulbs that were tested and made only for aquariums.

 

[jakepilot]

so could i get the ballasts and buy aquarium bulbs

 

[kris walker]

Sure, as long as you match the bulb type to the fixture type (in terms of dimensions and wattages). Who makes the light? I am really curious, as I might look into this also.
sam

 

[wamp]

Be carefull... Some ballasts have to be "tuned" to certain bulbs. You need to check it first. but for 75$ its worth a try.

 

[biggdriver]

The output on the magnetic ballasts sometime aren't as good..YOu definitely wouldn't want the bulbs they don't put out the right spectrum of light needed for corals etc..YOu can buy a diy kit witha 400 wattt iwaski, including ballast socket for about 124.00..Then you know it will work..Ps..this is also a magnetic ballast but you get a 90.00 bulb not bad. message me if you want more details..timmk@charter.net