Best MH 250 Watt under $400

SoulFish · 11/30/2008, 11:58 PM

Whats the best 250 Watt Metal Halid stand alone hang style light under $400? Please include a balast when trying to keep it under $400.

thanks

BodiBuilt · 12/01/2008, 12:12 AM

How close is Point Richmond to Sacramento?
When you say "stand alone" do you refer to a pendant style fixture or are you looking for independant reflector/ballast combo? What dimensions are you wanting to illuminate?

SoulFish · 12/01/2008, 12:17 AM

Looking for pendant style (want to hang them, no hood), and wanting to be able to get them in stages, they should all match. I'm wanting to illuminate 72 x 24 x 24.

BodiBuilt · 12/01/2008, 12:52 AM

Wow! (not what I was expecting)...
After some research I have decided on LumenMax Elite reflectors for myself. These would probably not be the best choice (asthetically speaking) for a no-canopy set up.
I would recommend 3 pendants - 1 per 2' of length...
As for ballasts; I recommend to first choose your favorite bulbs, then choose the most suitable ballast to run them.
With your "under $400" price tag, I assume you mean each pendant...

SoulFish · 12/01/2008, 01:48 AM

what were you expecting? something with a hood? Or a all in one light? Just trying to figure out what I want still on the fence about T5, or Metal Halids

BodiBuilt · 12/01/2008, 02:01 AM

No... I was expecting a single pendant over a 60g cube!

You can run pendants without actinic suplimentation, but if you like the "pop", I would deffenitly recomend Radium 20K's or maybe XM 15K's... Again, choose your ballast acordingly

kdblove_99 · 12/02/2008, 11:22 AM

Lumenmax elites are very nice reflectors. Ballast. I would get Lumatek or Galaxy. I chose teh Lumatek. Great 5 yr warranty. Radiums are my favorite bulb. The XM 15k has very low par. So if grwth is your concern i would skip it. $400 is pretty low. the Lumateks will cost $300 and thats cheap. 3 reflectors about $350, if you want Quality. I would check out the alll in one hoods

Stoney G · 12/03/2008, 10:09 PM

If your looking for a pulse start ballasts or an HQI ballasts I have noticed several RC sponsers are having incredible sales on the Sunlight Supply Blue Wave ballasts. At these prices you can get a ballast, good reflector and bulb under $400.00 easily.

11/30/2008, 11:58 PM	#1
SoulFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tampa Area Posts: 316	Best MH 250 Watt under $400 Whats the best 250 Watt Metal Halid stand alone hang style light under $400? Please include a balast when trying to keep it under $400. thanks

12/01/2008, 12:12 AM	#2
BodiBuilt Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,326	How close is Point Richmond to Sacramento? When you say "stand alone" do you refer to a pendant style fixture or are you looking for independant reflector/ballast combo? What dimensions are you wanting to illuminate? __________________ Tell Them Dave Was Here Current Tank Info: 280g In Progress

12/01/2008, 12:52 AM	#4
BodiBuilt Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,326	Wow! (not what I was expecting)... After some research I have decided on LumenMax Elite reflectors for myself. These would probably not be the best choice (asthetically speaking) for a no-canopy set up. I would recommend 3 pendants - 1 per 2' of length... As for ballasts; I recommend to first choose your favorite bulbs, then choose the most suitable ballast to run them. With your "under $400" price tag, I assume you mean each pendant... __________________ Tell Them Dave Was Here Current Tank Info: 280g In Progress

12/01/2008, 12:17 AM	#3
SoulFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tampa Area Posts: 316	Looking for pendant style (want to hang them, no hood), and wanting to be able to get them in stages, they should all match. I'm wanting to illuminate 72 x 24 x 24.

12/01/2008, 01:48 AM	#5
SoulFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tampa Area Posts: 316	what were you expecting? something with a hood? Or a all in one light? Just trying to figure out what I want still on the fence about T5, or Metal Halids

12/01/2008, 02:01 AM	#6
BodiBuilt Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,326	No... I was expecting a single pendant over a 60g cube! You can run pendants without actinic suplimentation, but if you like the "pop", I would deffenitly recomend Radium 20K's or maybe XM 15K's... Again, choose your ballast acordingly

12/02/2008, 11:22 AM	#7
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Lumenmax elites are very nice reflectors. Ballast. I would get Lumatek or Galaxy. I chose teh Lumatek. Great 5 yr warranty. Radiums are my favorite bulb. The XM 15k has very low par. So if grwth is your concern i would skip it. $400 is pretty low. the Lumateks will cost $300 and thats cheap. 3 reflectors about $350, if you want Quality. I would check out the alll in one hoods

12/03/2008, 10:09 PM	#8
Stoney G Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 107	If your looking for a pulse start ballasts or an HQI ballasts I have noticed several RC sponsers are having incredible sales on the Sunlight Supply Blue Wave ballasts. At these prices you can get a ballast, good reflector and bulb under $400.00 easily.