mh retro set up

[darklcd]

hey all

I managed to come across someone on eba selling a 4 X250 mh retro kit and I don't want to pass that up. it would cost me over 1500 to get that here lol

What I am wondering is and please don't laugh but I don't know anything about mh lighting other then its one of the best out there. I am used to dealing with basic tube set ups. I was told that it comes with everything that I need bulbs, cords, reflectors and ballast and to tell ya the truth I have no idea how to set this up or what the main parts of it are. I mean reflector and bulbs are pretty much a no brainer but the ballast I don't know what it is, here it goes and if I have to have it in my canopy or if I can put them somewhere else heres the link.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=250075079702&rd=1&rd=1

if someone can talk me through it and let me know about the ballast and what it is that would be great

thanks

 

[Scooterman]

well that could go good or bad IMO, the seller has good feedback but I find it a little fishy, may be some cheap stuff, he doesn't say it is M58 ballast or what type reflectors, this is another auction from what I gather.

 

[burning2nd]

agreed sounds cheap,

it says right there, its a m58....

but why sell it from canada if its made in the us?

u might get it only to regret it later, down the road...

 

[darklcd]

so I guess I should spend the extra a get a good one from somewhere that I know. It is located in the usa I just use ebay canada cuse I live in ontario. What is a good price for a retro kit and what should I look for and what are good quality parts?

 

[burning2nd]

yep pritty much, warranty some kind of reinsurence to let you know its good new and works and will do what you need to do... not 6 months your posting saying, my mh are doing this, and i cant get a hold of the guy who sold em to me
or something along that line,

i would get something either local or thur a good online source like marine depot or who ever you use,


i mean if you live, close 2 where its at, why not try to get in contact with the seller and see if you can see them b4 you buy


cant hurt

 

[Scooterman]

Well how much more do things cost when getting things across the border, that is the big question? I have to ask how many lights do you need? What size is your tank? If you need 4 250 watt MH lights you must have a big tank, I never seen anything that cheap for 4 250 watt mh light retros, never, even used that is cheap & I think the ballast are used if you read carefully, which might not be a big deal because most will last a long time. That is a tuff question for me to help with, I wouldn't want to steer you wrong on such a big cost.

 

[darklcd]

the tank is going to be 96X30X36 400 gal. I also was wondering if I could get away with only 3 insted of 4. I don't mind spending a littl bit extra if I have to. thats why I wanted to talk to you guys and find out what you thought.

I also wanted to know if that 400 watt will provide more light all around and not just for depth. I was thinking of going with 250's but if 400's will give me better light then I will go with them. I know that they are better for a deeper set up but will it shine around better?

 

[twilliard]

These are good guys. I bought a nice PC fixture from them with no issues or quality problems. Also they are in CA. they just have added Canadian pricing with it.

 

[burning2nd]

with a 36 deep, i would think that 2 or 3 400's would do you justice.

but i really dont know.. i know a 400watt Mh with ballest is hot as hell... and 2 or 3 will rase the temp of any room thats like a full time heater runing on full


i would think that a 400 would have more depth then a 250, but i know for sure its brighter.

 

[hooked82]

I would personally go with 4. From what I've read and experienced, a MH bulb with spider reflector is good for a 2'x2' area. Not sure if 250w would be good enough for a 36" deep tank but I dont have much expertise in that area. Good luck!

 

[Reefdaddy1]

I agree With David , 4 would be ideal for a 8 ft long tank. And 400 watt would be the package I would look at, anything over 30 inches would need penetrating light. 400 would do the trick for sure.

 

[darklcd]

the tank is going to be 30 high and 36 wide. I don't mind having 4 bulbs at all I thought that would be better then 3. I am just wondering if there is anything else that would work that I can use besides mh that will get down 30". I don't plan on having anything really demanding on the bottom or at all for that matter. Got any ideas?

 

[kendog261]

My only concern is the item description states 4 reflectors on one line and three on another line. It also states the ballast are used. I would just ask the seller to clarify the description. One other thing that I don't like is that it only has one ballast so if it went bad you would loose all your lighting.

 

[hooked82]

the tank is going to be 30 high and 36 wide. I don't mind having 4 bulbs at all I thought that would be better then 3. I am just wondering if there is anything else that would work that I can use besides mh that will get down 30". I don't plan on having anything really demanding on the bottom or at all for that matter. Got any ideas?

If you dont plan on going SPS, you could go with a solaris led lighting system Don't look at the price tag though, just pay it lol

 

[burning2nd]

ya,

probly should have 2 or 3 ballest, a few pc's antinic's, or maybe a few t5's

something else besides the mh

 

[jezzeaepi]

AVOID that EBAY seller. Sells the cheapest crap. My light from him had both fans go out on it within 3 months. Save your money and put it towards something quality.

 

[jezzeaepi]

Shipped me used bulbs as well.

 

[ronj]

i like MarineMadness.com.. he has an Ebay store as well...good prices on retro MH setups...free shipping too!!!!!

 

[darklcd]

thats something that I will have to look into. But I am still wondering if I shold go with 3 or 4 lights I am still not sure I am trying to save if I can so what do you guys think?

 

[ronj]

you could always buy 3 and see how it looks..you may have to adjust the reflectors some...if you don't like it, get a 4th one