Metal Halide Question

BenR7132 · #1 09/26/2007, 10:25 PM

I have an MH fixture that had a ballast for a 175 watt MH light. Does anyone know if I can use a 150 watt bulb in that? Or do I need to run the 175 watt only? Any advice appreciated.

northbay-reefer · #2 09/26/2007, 10:53 PM

nope its only meant to be used for 175 watt bulbs. Unless the ballast is by ARO which claimed to run both, but that is still iffy.

BenR7132 · #3 09/26/2007, 10:57 PM

It's an Oddyssea...so what will happen, it just won't turn on? I'm a bit iffy about this fixture...but got it free in a barter...

dswong01 · #4 09/27/2007, 01:05 AM

ARO electronic ballast will fire both the 150 DE bulb and 175 SE bulb. I have used both separately with my ballast.

ianiwane · #5 09/27/2007, 01:07 AM

The oddyssea says they are 175 but they run the 150 bulbs from what I've heard. Also the ballast that they come with are really poor and the bulbs will not run as bright as a typical 150w DE ballast.

boot525 · #6 09/27/2007, 01:12 AM

if your having trouble finding replacements, I could give a fellow that sells those types of lights in calafornia any they work really well but he only carries 15000k and 20000k and for a good price

undertai · #7 09/27/2007, 06:19 PM

if you are talking about the oddyess fixtures from like ebay or aquatraders. Then yes they can run the 150w de bulbs. I know that they say 175w on some of the aquatraders website but i think they are just 150w relabeled. Plus if push comes to shove their is a peron on ebay that sells 175w DE bulbs.

BenR7132 · #8 09/27/2007, 10:09 PM

We'll see. It won't fire a 150w. I've ordered a 175w, and we'll see if that works. If not I guess the thing is bum!