Like the look of MHs but...

[five.five-six]

M80 ballasts are hard to find these days.

M80 ballasts can be found used And for free or almost free, but the problem is the igniters go bad and the M80 igniters are hard to find. Hamilton has M80 igniters but they are only rated for 6’ of lamp cord between the ballast and the lamp.

For Radiums or DE lamps you only want electronic ballasts that are HQI or better yet, select-a-watt with an HQI option.

 

[JennyFlow]

What is M80 and what would be the alternative? Do I want M80?

Same question with HQI, what is that and do I want it?

 

[JennyFlow]

And do I need a ballast for each bulb? For a giesemann with 2 MH areas I would need 2 ballasts or one?

 

[sbeason]

M80 is a magnetic ballast for metal halide bulbs. You need a ballast for each bulb.

 

[hkgar]

HQI is a type of metal halide and is double ended versus mogul ended

 

[reef4life07]

kessils

kessils

1. Can metal halides be dimmed for like a ramp up and down? I thought they are either full on or off but just want to confirm this.

2. I really like the look of tanks with MHs, is there a way to replicate that look with LEDs if you play with the sprectum settings, I know you can adjust the colors. Or do I need to go old school and buy MHs?

Thanks!

Kessil has a nice shimmer like mh's.