Another metal halide lighting thread

[TheReefGeek]

The m58 is a plain magnetic ballast.
The m138 is a pulse start ballast.
The m80 is an HQI ballast

So you have to be carefull to match the ballast to the bulb you want to run, then it doesn't matter where you buy the ballast from, all that will change is the encloser it comes with, if any. If you want a nice enclosure, then buy something like PFO, or you can go to the grow shop for the same thing but not as nice of a package, or you can go to a lighting shop and get the pieces, and wire it yourself.