HPS MH 400W $120 shipped

[boosted306]

Is this a good deal for a MH system? This is a high pressure sodium metal halide with ballast, bulb, and fixture. The person that has it for sale is including a new bulb. Is this a deal or should I go with something different? I will post a picture in a minute.

 

[boosted306]

 

[scsinet]

Is it a high pressure sodium system or a metal halide system? There is no such thing as "high pressure sodium metal halide." MH and HPS are two different lighting technologies.
The short answer is that it's probably not a good deal. First, if it's HPS, it's of no use to you for aquariums. You cannot put a metal halide lamp in a system with an HPS ballast (dual mode ballasts do exist but not in the 400w range), so if it's an HPS, there is no chance of conversion unless you replace the ballast, which would obviously negate any "deal."
If it's MH, in all likelihood, the lamp is either cheap or of the wrong type. Most of these "cheap halide" kits have 6500K lamps, which is really not going to look good. If you can verify that the lamp is something decent, then it might be a good deal. But if the lamp is going to need to be replaced, what you have is a ballast and reflector that can be purchased for about $80 total.

 

[boosted306]

Sorry you are right. I was looking at a HPS system not the MH. The MH is the same price for 400 watt bulb, ballast, reflector, and cords. I am stuck because I am having a special stand and hood made for my tank and just want to spend very little on a light that no-one will see. I have almost decided to go pendant but don't think it will reflect well enough under the hood.

 

[scsinet]

Electrically, halide systems are not complicated.
You can easily assemble a system from raw components. You can expect to pay about $50 for a ballast, $30 for a reflector/lampholder, and anywhere from $60 to about $90 for a lamp. Then you'll just need a metal enclosure for the ballast and some bits of wire.
Or, go with this system and just replace the lamp if need be. $120 is a very tough challenge for a complete 400W system, so even if you have to replace the lamp and end up paying $200, you're in good shape.