MH magnetic ballast

[reef_addict]

I'm working on a DIY 29g. I found a 175w MH magnetic ballast fixture and I was going to try and fit it into my oak hood I have PC that I will run along with the MH. The question I have is what type of bulb can I put in it. I mean I've read some stuff about pulse bulbs or something like that. I don't want to buy it and fit it into the hood to find that I can only get 3800k cool white bulbs for it.


Thanks -Brian

 

[Kris]

I will give you FAIR WARNING right now that you DO NOT WANT to mount a ballast for a MH in a hood - let alone a MAGNETIC ballast.

1 - They are cheap
2 - They are inefficient
3 - They are furnaces (they suck up power and convert it to heat)
4 - In short - they are crap. Sorry to any of you who use PFO. No offense.


Get an electronic ballast and do it remote (mount it OUTSIDE the canopy). Unless you like wasting money, power and want a heated tank - get it.

 

[reef_addict]

I knew better then to mount the ballast in the hood. But, I didn't know they got that hot. I will just go with an electronic.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Good decicion.