Ballasts

[jesterns2]

Ok its time for the stupidest question of the day don`t laugh too hard. Ballasts what are they for and what exactly do you do with them?

 

[46FiatYamaha]

they are for converting and applying the right amount of electricity to the bulbs. There are many different styles, brands, etc.. and are required for basically all types of high output lighting http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=550860

 

[jesterns2]

Ok thanks I thought maybe there was someone way to essentially make my own light and say mount it on my canopy to save $$

 

[46FiatYamaha]

sorry double post

 

[46FiatYamaha]

you can do that, but you would need to buy the reflector, bulbs, and ballast seperately or as a retrofit kit, still generally much cheaper than buying a pre-built fixture

 

[myaerica]

Ballasts are what you need to run your lights ie vho t5 metal hallide all need A ballest to fire the bulbs.

 

[jesterns2]

gotcha thankyou

 

[THE ROOK]

Many people purchase parts or retrofit kits to install lights within a canopy without having an actual light frame. It's generally cheaper.

If you do your homework, you could score a used setup for 1/2 the cost of new but there's alot of junk out there so be careful.

Do you like t-5's or metal halides?
Maybe both?