New MH lighting FOR FREE!!!

[aarone]

The restaraunt I work at has several MH setups for the perimeter of the building. I was in the storage room and i noticed one with a busted case. I asked if i could have it. YUP! I was so happy. Then i started thinking if it would work out ok. Here are the details.
Cat No: XM25
Watts: 250
Volts: 120/208/240/277
Amps 2.6/1.5/1.3/1.13
Model No: XM
Part No: 681108035
Trans Type: CWA
LP Type: M58
HZ: 60
Some other stuff on it says,
HID luminaire E12585.
Is this good for aquarium use? I know it will probably get hot but i can control that.
I will post pics later (camera is dead)
Please tell me if this is good, and what kind of bulbs i can run on it.
aaron

 

[nm reef]

Free stuff is always kewl...but I don't know if the fixture you have is sufficient for reef use. I believe some places sell the m58 ballast but I'm not positive. I'd suggest you do some research on the ballast type and see if it can fire bulbs designed for aquarium use. Most MH fixtures for exterior lighting run 5500k lamps that are not the spectrum of light we need for aquariums. Maybe one of the members with technical knowledge can comment.

 

[ryebread]

5500k or even lower. Try to find out the spectrum on the bulb.......it may also not have the proper coatings on the bulb to keep the fish/tank safe. This is why Aquarium Use Metal Halides are $50-$100 each and the ones for exterior use are only $10-$15 each.
I remember members in the past trying it out and they had uncontrollable algae problems.

 

[overanalyzer]

You may just have to buy a bulb .... the LP being a M58 - I believe that is a type of ballast that can fire many of hte aquarium bulbs ..... BUT - that is hte only thing that matches up - plus with the amount of wattage you would be pulling are you sure you want to use a MH ballast with a crack in it?? I would wait for someone who does know something about lighting to chime in more ......
Good luck and be really careful!

 

[aarone]

ballast is sound. The case that was to protet it form the elements had a crack.
aaron

 

[aarone]

Is the ballast ok? Can i just use a 10,000k bulb? Or will it not run on this ballast?
aaron

 

[marvida]

I am currently building a 400w MH for my 55. The ballast is from a warehouse pendant type thing. It fires a 10K Ushio.

 

[michaeltx]

the ballast is a standard ballast that PFO uses in there MH setups
m-58 and m-59
it will fire the bulbs but only certain bulbs I fotget all the names of them I know iwasakis and xm bulbs will fire on it. it might be way to noisey to use indorrs though. aquarium balast kits are made to reduce the sound levels and to cut the heat so that might a problem as well.
the only way to know is to try but watch it carefully for heat and of course you will hear it if thats a problem..
Mike

 

[aarone]

yeah i planned on getting a good cooling system for the hood. is there anyway i can attach it and not make it burn the wood in the hood? What kind of good insulation do they make?
aaron

 

[michaeltx]

honestly I am not sure what you might do is consult an electrictrition to see what they have to say they would be mroe apt to be able to to give you the information that you need..
Mike

 

[zanemoseley]

sounds like to me its just a standard M58 250w magnetic halide ballast, I got two for free brand new from my mom's company but have yet to use them with an aquarium bulb, I tested them on a industrial bulb and it worked ok and was silent, I think it will work if its not damaged as long as you house it properly in a electrical box or something, I have a transformer can to house my 2 ballasts

 

[aarone]

where did you get the transformer can? I need something small to house this huge magnet. Its really really gigantic. And it probably weighs about 15 pounds.
aaron

 

[zanemoseley]

I got it free with my ballasts from my mom's work who makes transformers for industrial neon signs, if you're just housing 1 ballast, I'd just get an electrical box if you're just gonna do 1 since the can is pretty big, you can get one at lowes

 

[rob1116]

Ushio's 250w 10k bulbs are designed to run on an M58.
http://www.ushio.com/files/Aqualite%200802.pdf

 

[dreeves]

The M58 ballast is a 250 watt MH, standard probe start and some high pressure sodium lamps. So just match up the lighting information..and if the bulb requires a certain orientation..follow that as well.
As for getting a can...you can always use a small like 2 circuit breaker box from HD or Lowes.

 

[aarone]

thanks guys for all your help!
aaron