Is this too good to be true? (Super Cheap MH Lights)

Fishdisease · 05/19/2010, 12:32 PM

Hi Everyone,

Honestly, Tell me what you think about this.

http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...dIdZ193509512#

I'm in the planning stages of a 180 in-wall build.

I assume these are the magnetic-start ballasts.

What are the cons of this type of ballast?

Thanks

Dave

AquaticFins · 05/19/2010, 12:43 PM

I've yet to see a unit like this (fixtures intended for a commercial/retail building) that was able to fire the higher colour temperature lamps that we use.

I'm not at all familiar with the individual fixture you're looking it and it's certainly possible it would work, but most industrial MH fixtures are designed to run lamps around 3,200 Kelvin and will not fire a 10-20K lamp.

cccapt · 05/19/2010, 03:25 PM

There are probably standard M59 magnetic ballasts inside those fixtures. They will fire most bulbs except for HQI.

but most industrial MH fixtures are designed to run lamps around 3,200 Kelvin and will not fire a 10-20K lamp

Kelvin temp has nothing to do with it.

AquaticFins · 05/19/2010, 07:41 PM

If not the Kelvin temp, what is it about some industrial/commercial ballasts that allows them to run cool/warm white lamps but not aquarium lamps?

It's an issue I've seen many times, with both metal halide and flourescent fixtures.

RokleM · 05/20/2010, 07:25 AM

I wouldn't make any assumptions as to the ballast personally. If you're honestly interested, I'd call them and try to get those details first.

05/19/2010, 12:32 PM	#1
Fishdisease Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 311	Is this too good to be true? (Super Cheap MH Lights) Hi Everyone, Honestly, Tell me what you think about this. http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...dIdZ193509512# I'm in the planning stages of a 180 in-wall build. I assume these are the magnetic-start ballasts. What are the cons of this type of ballast? Thanks Dave __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: I've got an empty 180 in my basement...and the build has begun! Check out my thread.

05/19/2010, 03:25 PM	#3
cccapt Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: N.E. PA Posts: 842	There are probably standard M59 magnetic ballasts inside those fixtures. They will fire most bulbs except for HQI. but most industrial MH fixtures are designed to run lamps around 3,200 Kelvin and will not fire a 10-20K lamp Kelvin temp has nothing to do with it. __________________ /Larry Current Tank Info: 125 reef

05/20/2010, 07:25 AM	#5
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	I wouldn't make any assumptions as to the ballast personally. If you're honestly interested, I'd call them and try to get those details first. __________________ -Eric-

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Super cheap E-Bay MH 400w opinions	Kur	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	9	06/01/2009 10:16 PM
400w MH + 2 T5 retro for $350, too good to be true?	mcliffy2	Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS)	8	02/27/2007 05:19 PM
this mh light system sounds to good to be true	Vegas RN	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	5	07/31/2006 08:42 PM

05/19/2010, 12:43 PM	#2
AquaticFins Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 887	I've yet to see a unit like this (fixtures intended for a commercial/retail building) that was able to fire the higher colour temperature lamps that we use. I'm not at all familiar with the individual fixture you're looking it and it's certainly possible it would work, but most industrial MH fixtures are designed to run lamps around 3,200 Kelvin and will not fire a 10-20K lamp.

05/19/2010, 07:41 PM	#4
AquaticFins Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 887	If not the Kelvin temp, what is it about some industrial/commercial ballasts that allows them to run cool/warm white lamps but not aquarium lamps? It's an issue I've seen many times, with both metal halide and flourescent fixtures.