VHO actinic and MH bulbs
 

just wondering if anyone knows of any place in the city where we can get decently priced 48 inch VHO actinic bulbs and MH bulbs?
Anyone know how i can tell what type of ballast i have for MH?
thanks
Neal

take the lid off and look on the sticker on the core of the ballast for an ansi code. should start with M,

examples:
m57 - probe start 175w
m137 - pulse start 175w
m81 - 150w hqi
m102 - 150w pulse
m58 - 250w probe
m138 - 250w pulse
m80 - 250w HQI
m59 - 400w probe
m135 - 400w pulse :D

..so on and so forth.

edit: good eye reef geek!

I think you miss-typed here

Finding a local store with decent prices on MH bulbs is tuff considering AI sells their coralife 150 bulbs for over $150 where as you can get the same bulb for $68 at J&L, Also AI's 400XM DE & SE bulbs are $150 where as the same bulbs at J&L are $70. However, I wouldnt want to have 48" VHOs delivered by UPS:eek:

I have received 24" and 36" VHO bulbs from J&L using UPS 3 times now and have not had any broken bulbs. I have found J&L packs their stuff really well with the packing peanuts.

I would give J&L a call and see if they have had many broken bulb incidents.

Wow.. that sounds incouraging... I have to say J&L does an excellent job with packing.

I'm currently trying to organize something locally for MH bulbs if you can wait out a bit longer. Not sure of pricing yet, but I'll let everyone know if/when I hear back. Not sure about VHO bulbs though.

We could just do a lighting group order from J&L... They do have the MH sale on now.

re bulbs
 

i would be in on a bulb order
anyone else?