Old EVC MH ballast help, plant grow light

[ThaNgBOm321]

Hello and good day. It's been a long long time since I last came on this forum (2015).

I have a quick question. I have an old 400watt EVC electronic MH ballast with mogul socket. I would like to set this system up with a plant growing light. The the sticker on my ballast is unreadable and I have no idea what specs the ballast is other than it is a 400 watt MH. What plant bulb can I use with this ballast?

Thanks

 

[BrianD]

[moved]...

I think you'll get more help in this forum. Welcome back.

 

[ThaNgBOm321]

<i>This thread has been moved to the current forum.</i>...

I think you'll get more help in this forum. Welcome back.

Thank you, I didn't what to mess up the reefing forum with non reefing post but, I'll take it!

Thank you Kindly

 

[Gorgok]

I don't see why any 400w bulb of mogul base wouldn't work. It may not drive a specific 'spec' but it will drive them...

 

[mcgyvr]

I don't see why any 400w bulb of mogul base wouldn't work. It may not drive a specific 'spec' but it will drive them...

Yep...any 400w mogul base mh bulb should be just fine..
Enjoy your "plant" growth

 

[WVfishguy]

I currently have a 75 and a 125 plant tank with halides. I have some 14000k and 10000 k bulbs, and it doesn't seem to mean much difference to the plants. Halides grow plants like crazy - whether in an aquarium or terrestrial.

I would highly recommend getting a bright white 10,000 k bulb, because while your plants don't care, it makes a huge difference in the appearance of fish.
I'm in the process of replacing all bulbs with 10,000 k. The blue light simply does not bring out the colors as well in many freshwater fish, nor do plants look normal. Looks rather dull and drab.

You can probably use one 400 for up to a six foot tank. It may actually be too bright in the center - you may need to place an "island" of water sprite or other floating plant directly under the light to shade the fish. Water sprite will grow up a foot or more toward the light, and it looks nice growing out of the water. White roots hanging down make for a great fish hideout.

Make sure your light does not raise the temperature too much. Use a fan if you have to. Plants really do not like high temps - try to keep the tank 78-80 tops.

 

[ThaNgBOm321]

It's been so long since I have used MH or did any reefing and forgotten so much. I just ordered a cheap bulb and lets see if she fires.

Thanks all