Metal Halide Question

[fattyratrat]

Is there anything wrong with buying a ballast and fixture from a place like this? http://www.1000bulbs.com/Ballasts-Fluorescent-HID/ I have come to find that just because something is made for a fish tank, they mark it up 400% just becausue of that. Would these ballasts be too loud, or hot, or not run the right type of bulb? Why does everyone buy IceCap 400 watt ballasts for a few hundred dollars when ones like these are at our hands for 50ish??

thanks for the help.

 

[bertoni]

Most often the bulbs from such places are very red, and are going to look very ugly. Some of the ballasts might be okay, if they match the type of bulb. The reflector quality is very important for efficiency, so I wouldn't skimp there, either.