whats needed for a MH retro setup

[jandree22]

alright, I'm def interested in the prices that 1000bulbs.comoffers on MH ballasts, but I'm a lil confused. I was considering putting 2 12000K 250 bulbs over my 75.

1) What's the difference between "250 watt" and "250 watt Pulse Start"?

2) When you pick either of those two, you come to a new page that lets you select several other ballasts, what's the difference between these?

3) Other than a reflector and a bulb, does this ballast have everything I need to hook it up? (ie. socket, power cord to plug it in, etc)

4) Can a normal Joe Shmoe like me hook it up myself or is it a job for the electrician?

Thanks

 

[Mikef1]

If I were in your situation I would got with a 2x250w double end retrofit. I like this setup at marine depot http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lig ... sp?CartId= they are HQIs and are nore energy efficient than mogul sockets.

 

[Anonymous]

alright, I'm def interested in the prices that 1000bulbs.comoffers on MH ballasts, but I'm a lil confused. I was considering putting 2 12000K 250 bulbs over my 75.

1) What's the difference between "250 watt" and "250 watt Pulse Start"?

2) When you pick either of those two, you come to a new page that lets you select several other ballasts, what's the difference between these?

3) Other than a reflector and a bulb, does this ballast have everything I need to hook it up? (ie. socket, power cord to plug it in, etc)

4) Can a normal Joe Shmoe like me hook it up myself or is it a job for the electrician?

Thanks

i am no electrician, but i believe you need a case in which to house those ballasts. these that you are looking at would be more targetted at replacing worn ballasts in existing cases or i suppose one could build there own.
i too suggest you buy a retro fit unit which comes pre-assembled with case, toggles, etc.

 

[cdeakle]

Check out aquaticlight.com

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

It's not hard to wire up a ballast. However, you're working with mains voltage and so stand the chance of easily killing yourself too.

Buying a ballast from an electrical wholesaler often means literly just getting a ballast. You'd need a metal box etc as well to turn it into something useful.

Hydroponic stores often sell "ballasts" in the sense of something ready to turn on at reasonable prices. In NZ these are so cheap it's hardly worth wiring one up yourself.

One way to get the right ballast is to tell the people you're buying it from the technical specs. of the bulb you're trying to run.