noobie question

[ladyfsu]

The 75-g tank at school that was donated has a single metal halide (and some PC's). The light is no longer with us so I'm buying another one from DrsFosterSmith. The ballast says "250W max, BT Style Bulb, Model MH250." OK...ermmm...wth does that mean? The bulb I believe is 10,000K. Can I go any K as long as watts are not higher than 250? ... and what is BT STYLE bulb?

Sorry for not knowing more but this is my first MH purchase. If you don't mind, can you go to this site and tell me what I CAN buy? Thanks.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113353


Laine

 

[Warnberg]

Well If I am reading this right, you are correct on the bulb wattage, any 250 watt bulb should work provided it is a BT Style bulb (whatever that is) I thought BT = Bulb Type...
Anyway everything I have seen (not to say I've seen it all) is either a single ended bulb or an HQI (double ended) bulb.

 

[Warnberg]

I take it you just got the ballast and not the fixture?

What manufacturer and model is the ballast?

 

[college429]

PM sent.

 

[ladyfsu]

The ballast says:

Use only MH lamp,BT style bulb
250 wwatt Max
Model #MH250

2.5
__________
120V.60Hz
m58
Sunlight Supply Inc.

...and then the bulb has 1 socket/end and I THINK says:

Hamilton Technology
250W
14,000K
blue


and it is a retro inside the hood.

 

[Warnberg]

There ya go, any single ended 250 watt bulb should work, it does not matter what the color temp (K rating) of the bulb.

 

[Warnberg]

After looking a little more: I believe that ballast is pulse start magnetic ballast.

"Q. Can I run a probe start style MH lamp (bulb) on a pulse start MH ballast and vice-versa?
A. The manufacturers of the ballasts and lamps do not recommend this. What adverse effects will it have? Ballasts/lamps are designed to be run as a circuit within certain tolerances (line input, starting voltage, current, etc.). Electrical components should be operated as specified. By not following these guidelines, you may increase the chance of risk, damage to your equipment, premature failure of lamps and other potential hazards. Lamp manufacturers do not guarantee lamp performance or reliability if incorrect ballast is used with a lamp."

So maybe someone else can speak to this better than I can.

 

[NICERICAN4YOU25]

PRETTY MUCH DO NOT USED ANY OTHER BULB THAN A 250W MH
BUT IT CAN BE ANY COLOR LIKE 10,000K-20,000 , ANY OTHER Q'S FEEL FREE TO ASK PLS

THATS WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR

CARLOS

 

[ichthyman]

Sorry guys but no.

M58's are probe-start ballast for single ended mogul socketed lamps. It consists of a core and capacitor. These ballasts will run bulbs with built-in igniters. Pulse-start lamps may fire but reliability and longevity will be sacrificed. Probe-start ballasts are the most common ballast used within the aquarium industry. To name a few, mogul base bulbs from Hamilton, Iwaski, JBJ, the Ushio 250w, and XM are probe-start.

 

[Warnberg]

Thank you John for the clarification. See ya learn something new everyday.

 

[ladyfsu]

Thanks John!! That made it clearer (not clear cuz I'm still learning at a faster rate than my poor soggy brain can absorb) and I have a good idea now!