lighting questions

[crshnbrn]

What is the main differences between metal halide lamp i see at marine dealers that are like 500 dollars and say a fixture from www.1000bulbs.com For example

250 Watts, BT-28 Sylvania Brand Metal Halide, E39 Mogul Base, Length 8.31", Diameter 3.50", Kelvin 4200, CRI 65, ANSI M58/E, Universal Burn Position, Average Life Hours 10,000, Approximate Initial Lumens 22,000, Approximate Mean Lumens 17,000, Case Quantity 6, Price Is Per Each Bulb, No Minimum Order.
$10.53


Description: MH250/MultiTap
Sola Brand - Voted Best Ballast For It's Low Heat Producing Factor
250 Watts, Multi-Tap Metal Halide Ballast, 120/208/240/277 Volts, Bulb Type 250 Watt Metal Halide/250 Watt Mercury Vapor, ANSI M58, ISO-9001 Rated, Reduced Heat, Priced Individually, No Minimum Order.
$46.68

I understand i would have to build canopy but why is there such a variance in price?

 

[Sparky]

Kelvin 4200

Thats the difference. You want to be at least around 6500K...I have 20,000K.

 

[Biggen]

The ballast you found is fine. I am running a similar multi tap ballast myself. Although you could probably find a similar ballast for a little cheaper at your local electrical supply warehouse. If not, $45 + shipping still isn't bad.

As for the bulb you listed, Sparky is right. It's K rating is way to low to use. Your tank would look miserable yellow.

IMHO, the lighting fixtures you fine in the LFS are horrible overpriced. I built my own light canopy because I refused to shell out the money they wanted. My canopy consists of 1 250w MH and 2 55w PC's. It cost me around $200 to build it myself. Had I wanted to buy the same thing already premade, it would have cost over $500 easily.

 

[Sparky]

I also built my own. I have a 125 gallon tank. I have (3) 250W MH Hamilton bulbs @ 20,000K and (4) 4 foot Actinic lights. I also have (2) fans to disipate the heat from the lighting and tempature controller for the heaters mounted into the top.

Mine was a bit more than 200 dollars to build, but it is fairly large also. The cost really does play a part in this, but the satisfaction of building it yourself will justify the cost.

 

[malkore]

just getting ready to build my own canopy next weekend to house 2 96watt PC's. even the plain wood canopy's they sell are overpriced. hurray for DIY!