Planning DIY MH setup

GraviT · #1 02/05/2005, 01:38 AM

In looking to DIY a MH setup, I came across this ballast:
Advance 71A5790 250w Multi-Tap M-58, and was wondering if anybody knew if this would do the job. I'm also a bit clueless on what kind of bulb would be recommended to use with these.

Finally, I'm not really sure if a dual 250w setup would be too much light for my 55 gal tank being 21" tall. Would I be better off going with a dual 175?

I've read Joshi's DIY Guide to Metal Halide Lighting Systems , but the article is 5 years old and doesn't cover some of the stuff I need to know. Any other resources would be great!

GordonA · #2 02/05/2005, 04:27 PM

IMHO, 500w on a 55 is a little overkill. I have the m57 175w on a 55 and have great growth. I got mine at hellolights.com, but they come standard with 6500k bulbs. I bought 2 10k bulbs from another online site( can't remember where) but the whole setup was about 250.00

GraviT · #3 02/14/2005, 09:47 AM

I still haven't gotten a setup put together and was wondering if anybody knew a good place to order a pair of 250w bare magnetic ballasts.

texasreefer · #4 02/14/2005, 01:34 PM

http://1000bulbs.com/

Chrisrush · #5 02/14/2005, 07:04 PM

Check out this place, it's local and cheap. Make sure you get the one rated for 110v, they tired to sell me the 240v version.

You can buy those TAR Metal Halide Ballasts for $35.

Electrical Surplus of Texas 972-579-5552

GraviT · #6 02/15/2005, 01:17 AM

Thanks guys, I've been thinking about the 1000bulbs.com place, but haven't gotten by there yet. I think they are in Mesquite which is pretty close to where I live.

Chrisrush, did you buy the TAR ballasts? If not, which kind are you running and with what bulbs? Also, most of the multi-tap ballasts I've seen are rated for 120v and up, do they actually stock a 110?

Just when I think I've gotten this thing figured out, I get stuck in a loop..pulse start vs. no pulse, TAR vs bare..ack!

Chrisrush · #7 02/15/2005, 08:06 AM

GraviT,
I did buy one from them, but when I got home and realized that it was the wrong one, I took it back. I ended up ordering from DIYreef.com. Justin is a good guy and at least when I ordered, he was pretty quick with the orders. From what I read, he's been a little busy as of late.

I got a 250w electronic (EVC) ballast, socket, reflector and a CV 14k bulb for $160 shipped. He was running a special last fall. He's probably running something similar.

Chris

GraviT · #8 02/15/2005, 09:18 PM

Hrmm....DIYreef.com says the store is closed until this week, maybe he will open up soon. $160 isn't bad, but I'm looking at getting 2 setups.