Metal Halides - do they scare you?

I have dual 175 10k MHs and I am going to be setting them up as soon as my tank is cycled and ready to go. BUT I am scared of them causing a fire or something going wrong with all that juice running. Anyone else feel the same?
In the past when I had them set up I would not leave them running if we went away for a few days or vacation. I would just run my reg. florescent for that period. (even the ocean gets cloudy storm days right)

 

Nope.

 

So I am worried for nothing? I mean they ran for a couple years without a problem. I have the magnetic ballasts.

 

great answer

 

nope, they are designed to run reliably for long periods, put them on a timer and let them do their job. If anything maybe buy a newer more efficient electronic ballast which will run a bit cooler and maybe save a bit on the electric bill compared to the magnetics.

 

If you buy quality stuff you should have no worry. They do sell these things to consumers some safety is required(assuming you didn't make yours). And seeing as they haven't caught on fire yet it probably won't happen assuming you put electronics out of range of water.

 

I thought so too.;D

 

They are really high quality. I forget what brand but I will check.
I didnt build them myself.

 

Make sure you have some chillers when you plan to run MH light for a long time. I never owned MH lighting my self, but I hear those can get real hot and raise your water temperature, My water goes to 82 degrees here in California with just regualr biocube stock lighting, haha

 

Does leaving 3 100w light bulbs, like maybe in your hallway chandelier or over your kitchen table, make you nervous?