VHO actinic and MH bulbs

[howdy20012002]

just wondering if anyone knows of any place in the city where we can get decently priced 48 inch VHO actinic bulbs and MH bulbs?
Anyone know how i can tell what type of ballast i have for MH?
thanks
Neal

[Invigor]

take the lid off and look on the sticker on the core of the ballast for an ansi code. should start with M,

examples:
m57 - probe start 175w
m137 - pulse start 175w
m81 - 150w hqi
m102 - 150w pulse
m58 - 250w probe
m138 - 250w pulse
m80 - 250w HQI
m59 - 400w probe
m135 - 400w pulse :D

..so on and so forth.

edit: good eye reef geek!

[TheReefGeek]

m135 - 400w probe

I think you miss-typed here

[b_james]

Finding a local store with decent prices on MH bulbs is tuff considering AI sells their coralife 150 bulbs for over $150 where as you can get the same bulb for $68 at J&L, Also AI's 400XM DE & SE bulbs are $150 where as the same bulbs at J&L are $70. However, I wouldnt want to have 48" VHOs delivered by UPS:eek:

[TheReefGeek]

I have received 24" and 36" VHO bulbs from J&L using UPS 3 times now and have not had any broken bulbs. I have found J&L packs their stuff really well with the packing peanuts.

I would give J&L a call and see if they have had many broken bulb incidents.

[b_james]

Wow.. that sounds incouraging... I have to say J&L does an excellent job with packing.

[mr_alberta]

I'm currently trying to organize something locally for MH bulbs if you can wait out a bit longer. Not sure of pricing yet, but I'll let everyone know if/when I hear back. Not sure about VHO bulbs though.

[fortheloveofcrabs]

We could just do a lighting group order from J&L... They do have the MH sale on now.

[howdy20012002]

i would be in on a bulb order
anyone else?