question about mh
 

can i run any good light bulbs with my cheap ballast that i got from a hydroponics store.

yes. I run all my bulbs on "cheap" ballasts. One on a M59, 2 on Son Agro ballasts. Sometimes you'll get a bulb that has trouble firing, but that should go away in time. MAny of the expensive ballasts are hydroponic store ballasts in shiny aluminum cases.