MH Lighting Question

[bmkj02]

I have a 125g tank that I have been setting up for over 6 months. Its been 2 months with water running but no stock. Taking my time want it dont right. MH arereally expensive and have been trying my best to get the good stuff for low price as all of us do. Well the other day I was looking through craigs and saw a warehouse upgrading their lights cause the MH they were using was costing too much. So they were selling about 200 MH 400watt fixtures for $25 a piece. Sounded too good so I bought 2 of them. When I got them home I started taking them apart removing the fixtures off the ballast housing. Then after that was done I opened the housing and they are operated with a multi tap Advance M59 ballast. They seems like a real good deal as all I may need now is the bulb and reflector. Question is, Is 400 watts too much? And do you think this is a good buy. I also having running 4 t5HO blue bulbs.

 

[saltfan]

400w is a mess of light no doubt about it. Great deal if you ask me. I only run 175w MH in my 125g. You'll be able to keep anything in that tank. Got my gear off the auction sight and for brand new in box payed $47 for 2 175w ballasts. You can also get your bulbs off that sight too, for practically nothing.

 

[scsinet]

Yeah you got a decent deal. You may consider buying another just so you have some parts around.
Just be sure to get the right lamps. These fixtures can't drive pulse start lamps, but there are plenty of probe start lamps out there. XM, Hamilton, and Coralife lamps are all probe start. I know that Sunburst, Radium, and Ushio are not, so stay way from them.