horticulture mh fixtures?

AQF · 05-06-2007, 04:12 AM

has anyone ever used horticulture mh fixtures with reef appropriate bulbs? i'm looking at the 250w mogul based fixtures. they're a lot cheaper than the ones made for aquarium purposes. it looks like the only thing that is different are the aesthetics.

Compact MH Grow Light Systems > 250 MH Compact Grow Light System - BGH | BGH (BetterGrow Hydro)

DaveK · 05-06-2007, 07:54 AM

I have used very similar fixtures for years, except that they are 175w MH.

The fixtures are metal, so in time they will rust a little, but mine are over 15 years old, and still don't look too bad.

These fixtures come with coil and core ballasts. On the one fixture I still use I replaced the ballast with an electronic ballast. I highly recommend electronic ballasts because on a 250w bulb the savings in electricity will pay for the more expensive ballast in less than a year.

I don't think it would be possible to add supplemental actinic lighting to them.

To use these fixtures, you will need to suspend them from something.

You might also consider getting the parts and making your own fixture. Many have gone that route.

mps9506 · 05-06-2007, 10:51 AM

You are going to have to replace the bulb in that fixture anyhow, so add another $60-$70 at least to it.
If you are just looking for a pendant style system:
AquaMedic 10K 250 DE Ocean Light Pendant: Premium Aquatics
Very price competitive and made for use over SW.

05-06-2007, 04:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
AQF Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: arcadia, ca Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	horticulture mh fixtures? has anyone ever used horticulture mh fixtures with reef appropriate bulbs? i'm looking at the 250w mogul based fixtures. they're a lot cheaper than the ones made for aquarium purposes. it looks like the only thing that is different are the aesthetics. Compact MH Grow Light Systems > 250 MH Compact Grow Light System - BGH \| BGH (BetterGrow Hydro)

05-06-2007, 07:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 648 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: horticulture mh fixtures? I have used very similar fixtures for years, except that they are 175w MH. The fixtures are metal, so in time they will rust a little, but mine are over 15 years old, and still don't look too bad. These fixtures come with coil and core ballasts. On the one fixture I still use I replaced the ballast with an electronic ballast. I highly recommend electronic ballasts because on a 250w bulb the savings in electricity will pay for the more expensive ballast in less than a year. I don't think it would be possible to add supplemental actinic lighting to them. To use these fixtures, you will need to suspend them from something. You might also consider getting the parts and making your own fixture. Many have gone that route.

05-06-2007, 10:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,013 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: horticulture mh fixtures? You are going to have to replace the bulb in that fixture anyhow, so add another $60-$70 at least to it. If you are just looking for a pendant style system: AquaMedic 10K 250 DE Ocean Light Pendant: Premium Aquatics Very price competitive and made for use over SW. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

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