help with MH's choices

[aaron]

Can somebody please help to de-mystify the world of lighting for me?
I am looking to get a couple of MH lights for my new tank and, like always, Im looking to get out of it as cheaply as possible. I have been looking around at a number of lighting sites but there is a confusing amount of bulb and ballast types.- magnetic, pulse start, electronic.
I see hellolights has a 175W M57 magnetic ballast for $50. The price is right but is there something that I am not taking into account with this? something that i will come to regret in the future?

 

[nanoreefer22]

I'm running a 175W M57 magnectic ballast. It works fine for me. The only downside is there are a limited amount of bulbs that you can run on the ballast. I still like it, I use a 10K XM, and it works out great.
-Kris

 

[aaron]

I just found this dual 175W Hamilton ballast for $134.00
at http://www.seatechaquariums.com/Products.asp?Action=View&Path=T84,0006&ID=164&Description=Hamilton_Technology_Replacement_Metal_Halide_Ballast_Capacitor_And_Ballast_Complete&Reques tID=5%2F4%2F2005+5%3A49%3A57+AM
Has anyone had any experience with Hamilton ballasts?

 

[pmui]

Aaron,

The differnces b/w a magnetic ballast / electronic ballast. THe magnetic requires more power to start the bulb and compared to a electronic. Magnetic ballast produces more heat, and comsumes more power in relations to an eletronic ballast. Magnetic ballast is alot cheaper in cost than a eletronic ballast. I'm not sure which ballast can start more differnet type of bulbs.

Peter