Gov't seized lighting and ballasts

[special1kad]

I am looking for some MH or lighting that is better then the power compacts I currently have. Someone suggested this website:

http://www.propertyroom.com/cgi-bin...ay?cgrfnbr=50760775&cgmenbr=31895249&gallery=

but I don't really know if the lights are effecient enough for corals. They are grow lights the gov't has seized from weed growers. Some of them are 400, 600 and 1000 watt lights with ballasts. So can someone tell me if these lights would work, what wattage is good, and what completes a package ie. light, ballast, fixture (is that all I need?)
Thanx,
~Kadesha~

If the link isn't working go to:
www.propertyroom.com
scroll down and click on the link named Home & Garden to the left
then click on Commercial Nursery Supplies

 

[bbeddow]

I think I read somewhere that most of the "grow" lights are under the 6500k rating, which you typically find with the cheaper MH bulbs. You typically want to stay in the 10-20k range for SPS corals.

I'm sure someone will chime in more with info.

Brian

 

[kiznile]

I have done alot of research on this as well
I am no expert at this just what I have understood
from the research I have done
buying the hood the ballast and the light fixture
as long as it is the watt supply you want it does not matter
what really matters is the light bulb
and would really recommend buying the actuall bulb new
check out on ebay
if you are growing corals make shure you go between 6,500k to 20,000k
and make shure if you want to grow any types of coral you want
make shure the wattage is between 5.5 to 10 watts per gallon of water
it also depends on how deep your tank is
there are some good info in the diy section of RC

 

[kiznile]

also make shure the ballast and the entire fixture is for
MH (metal halide) setup and not a hps (High Pressure Sodium)

 

[special1kad]

Thanx for the advice. Some more ?'s though. Are the housings to screw the bulb in on the fixtures the same size as a MH bulb? And if I get the ballast is it going to provide enough power to light the MH bulb up properly?
Thanx

OT: Also I am looking for live sand (preferably used but can b new) if anyone has some lookin 4 about 50 lbs.

 

[jonthefb]

and also if you are going to run some of the higher kelvin 400w bulbs and some brands specifically you will need to get a pulse start ballast, so just be sure your getting the real thing!
good luck
jon