metal halide question

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by mvp, Feb 27, 2011.

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  1. mvp

    mvp Astrea Snail

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    i found these 2 36 inch 250w metal halides on ebay, one of them comes with a ballast and another doesnt and they are the same price. im not completely sure what a ballast does for the fixture...which one should i get? the one that doesnt come with the ballast does it mean it doesnt require one?
     
    mvp, Feb 27, 2011
    mvp, Feb 27, 2011
    #1

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  2. devildog

    devildog Plankton

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    It will have to have a ballast for sure. Bulb wont fire without it.
     
    devildog, Feb 27, 2011
    devildog, Feb 27, 2011
    #2
  3. kstafford003

    kstafford003 Feather Star

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    The ballast provides power to the bulb as well as starts the bulb. Be careful on buying lighting on ebay unless you know the equipment you are buying. There are many people out there who are selling MH bulbs that you would put on your house and saying they are for your fish tank, big difference.
     
    kstafford003, Mar 1, 2011
    kstafford003, Mar 1, 2011
    #3
  4. BigReefin

    BigReefin Astrea Snail

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    no ballast...no light if your talking about a real metal halide----some pc bulbs come with the ballast built right in the bulb....as always on ebay or craigslist----- buyer beware, research pays for itself 10-fold!!
     
    BigReefin, Mar 3, 2011
    BigReefin, Mar 3, 2011
    #4