looking for new metal halide fixture

[shista]

Hi eveyone, havent been in the hobby in a couple years but am starting a new 44 gallon reef tank. I was wondering if a Hamilton Bali Sun Single Ended Mogul Base Reflector (first option on google search) (250 watts) would be an ideal cheap metal halide fixture for my canopy. Would i need a ballast with this? Any ballast? thank you. ( f

 

[nikesb]

yes you would need a ballast for it.
i would spend an extra 30$ and get a lumenmax elite reflector. much better reflector but you would still need a ballast. for ballast options, i need to ask first as to what bulb do you plan on getting?

 

[shista]

I was thinking of getting a 250 watt 15000k xm, mongul base bulb. Would this be a good choice? or should i go for the 10000k? Could I buy any ballast that is for 250watts?

 

[nikesb]

yes.
look into galaxy electronic ballasts.
as for the bulb, i'd honestly choose aquamaxx 14k mogul over the 15000k xm. much better color

 

[shista]

thank you, would you consider a galaxy over a icecap?

 

[nikesb]

ice cap has been bought by another company
the galaxy ballasts are really nice. theyre as good, if not, better than ice cap

 

[shista]

i have found another fixture on ebay. I am not good with lighting and cant tell if it needs a ballast, please put ur input if possible, thanks. i dont know if i can post a website from ebay but http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170595899858 asd qsdrqwe df.
It is also called a 24 Inch Metal halide 250W for Coral reef (odyssey)

 

[nikesb]

i wouldnt use it, but many people still do. they have had a bad rep, and honestly i wouldnt waste my money on something cheap then end up getting a quality fixture down the road.
if you must look into cheaper brands, i would highly recommend looking for a used quality brand set up first. if you cannot find one, look into fishneedit fixtures. better than odyssey but not by much