hqi lighting

[glinker97]

ok here goes and this may sound like a stupid question. but i was thinking(dangerous i know we use hqi metal halides at our construction site. the portable kind that you see in shops. what is to stop me from slapping the correct kavin bulb in one and doing a bit of retrofitting and using one of those?

 

[30mini]

I was thinking the same thing... but I was gonna search a little before asking it... but anyways.... BUMP

 

[ONEMANBAND]

Where do you get the HQI metal halides?, all I seem to come across have ballasts that run Mercury Vapor or Halogen lamps.

 

[glinker97]

halogen excuse me

 

[bertoni]

I don't think they'll work properly if the bulb doesn't match the ballast. Lots of bad things can happen. You might find a match, but you should contact a lighting expert with the exact ballast model and bulb you'd like to use.

 

[six.line]

Ballasts and bulbs have ANSI standards, so you should make sure that they match.

 

[ONEMANBAND]

To save a few bucks if you are handy get bulbs/ sockets made for aquariums, and get ballasts at electrical supply locally(graybar or similiar company) advance ballasts M-57, M58, and M59 are good for standard bulbs , I am sure there is a chart or thread about it somewhere. If you like the 6500K color you can run Isaki bulbs off a mercury vapor ballast, but it will look yellowish, good for frag tanks, etc.

 

[glinker97]

thanks folks ill check into it. and i guess that spending 3 to 400 bucks is cheaper than burning down the house!