Commerical MH Ballast Alternatives?

[Aquattro]

Sure, you can use most ballasts available from an electrical shop, hydroponics, etc. Most of the time you're paying for the pretty part. Match the wattage of your bulb to a ballast and price out alternatives. 175w = M57, 250w= M58, M80, 400w=M59, Son Agro. Fulham was supposed to be coming out with MH E ballasts this year also, maybe check their site. I paid $80 ea for my ballasts, and put thm in a $20 case. These are normally sold as the PFO 400w HQI for $379 at J&L.

Sometimes you'll get a bulb that doesn't fire right away, and the vendor will want to know what ballast you are using. Some bulbs work better with ignitors, some are pulse start, etc. Really, the pretty ballasts from the fish store have commercial ballasts inside.