MH Ballasts

[butters88]

Does anyone know if the following ballasts will start up aquarium MH lights? If they don't, can you guys tell me what they're normally used for? :confused:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2589124173&category=46571&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2588245577&category=26219&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

[christyf5]

Well the first one says that they can run only 70W bulbs (sticker on the ballast). I haven't a clue as to where you'd get those and what kelvin they come in.

As for the second, I think it is a M58 Ballast or equivalent to it (I think thats good?). Maybe Steve or Tony will chime in. They are ballast experts :wink:

Christy :)

[butters88]

Thanks Christy! I haven't done any DIY projects before, but I saw a DIY thread on nano-reef for a 70W/150W using a regent pendant that got me interested :razz:

[christyf5]

Cool! So where would you get the 70W bulbs? I've never heard of that wattage before, hydroponics store maybe??

Christy :)

[butters88]

I think people have been ordering them online and they're using a 10,000K Ushio. I was planning to do the same, if no stores would special order it. Heres the thread, incase your interested, its pretty long :rolleyes:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=f3b08a53c0c8868f8872207d621c2890&threadid=16346

[Delphinus]

The 70W ballast shown is ANSI M98 which I think is not the right one for the Ushio lamps. Those require an ANSI M85 according to Ushio's spec sheets ( http://www.ushio.com/files/Aqualite%200802.pdf )

I dunno I think it's interesting that you can work with 70W lamps but it seems to me the lamps are harder to source, and there are fewer options available, compared to the 150W DE (and they're about the same price, too, I think). 70W and 150W are the same size and use the same sockets so whatever fits for one will fit for the other.

hellolights.com seems to sell the stuff but that doesn't help us since hellolights won't touch a Canadian order (U.S. only).

PS. The 250W ballast shown seems like a good deal ..... not a whole lot of info on the page but I'd assume it's a typical M58.

[BCOrchidGuy]

Butters, I know a couple people who have brought in the 70w MH DE bulbs, they end up being pretty expensive. I got a ballast from the USA a while ago, a used one, shipping etc cost close to $40, (heavy) and there were some other charges on top of that. I could have bought it new here cheaper.

Doug

[butters88]

I was looking to do the 70W/150W because of budget constraints and I was looking to do something small and easy to put together since the regent pendent provides a lot of convenience. It seems like getting the resources may be harder than it seems. :sad:
Doug, Was that US or Canadian?

[BCOrchidGuy]

it was CDN but like I said there were other expenses IE duties etc. I can't remember what the final total was.

Albrite in coquitlam sells bare ballasts that would probably suit your needs, an M 138 Advance cat # 71A57A2, I believe it's a pulse start ballast for a 250 watt MH it's $68.50 CDN.

Give them a call, (604) 945-9060

Doug

[butters88]

I wanted to do the 150W setup, but I haven't had much luck finding the ballast. If I were to do the 150W DE, would I need a M81 ballast then or are there other ballasts that work?
Thanks for the # Doug, I'll check it out :smile:
btw, is that where you got your supplies for your 400W setup?

[BCOrchidGuy]

No I got my 400 watt at a hydroponics store in burnaby, I keep orchids and I used the 400 for them. I just adapted the system to a horizontal bulb and got the bulb from J &L.

I believe that for a DE bulb you'll need an HQI ballast which the M81 appears to be if I'm not mistaken. Steve or Tony would be the ones to ask.

Doug

[butters88]

Hm,...how much did your 400W setup cost? Was the bulb the most expensive component?

[BCOrchidGuy]

No the bulb and the ballast were about the same price, if I had known about Albrite I would have gotten my ballast through them. All total I spent about $300 on my 400 watt unit including the bulb and reflector.

Doug

[butters88]

Seems like a good price for a 400W setup :biggrin: