[ksreefbuilder]

Ok, I just bought a custom solid oak stand & canopy for my new 125 gal reef tank from a local guy that is getting a divorce, and he ended up giving me everything he had to go with it, including a 75 gal dual overflow double drilled bottom flow Oceanic tank. The thing I had a question about though was the lighting setup. All I needed was the stand, but he said he wanted it all gone or he was putting it all out for the trash man. He said his wife had everything custom made at a huge aquatic place in Texas called Ultra Marine Enterprises, and had cost thousands just a couple years ago. The lighting setup includes 3 Ultra Marine brand metal halide ballasts, two 70 watt & one 150 watt with built in timers, & two 40 watt fluorescent light ballasts all connected into a huge custom reflector. I have never seen anything like this, and was wondering if it really is good equipment or if it is outdated junk. Each MH ballast measures 11x7x5 & weighs a ton. I showed the lighting setup to my LFS and he said it was old, but useable and would give me $50 for it. Before I go and sell it to him or anyone I would like some info or comments on what all I have and what it’s worth. I cant find any info on this company or its products. Thanks

[pogodzib]

If it works, it doesn't matter how old it is. Many custom made MH fixtures that are heavy use a magnetic ballast, typically "Advance Mangetic" brand. Even if the ballast is old, if it fails you can buy replacement ballasts and capacitors from Hellolights.com Looking at the pictures, it may be bulky and not as efficient as the newer electronic ballasts are, but it looks like it should work great. It appears to be worth way more than $50 to me.

[ksreefbuilder]

yea, I think it is worth more than $50 too, but like I said I dont know. I just bought a new 8 lamp t-5 so I dont need it, but the LFS is the last guy I want to give something too, lol. Thanks

[pogodzib]

Selling heavy MH fixtures can difficult if you don't find someone local since it can cost so much to ship. Since he'd only give for $50, I'd try to find someone local or sell it online for pickup only. If you don't find someone local to pick it up, you won't be out a whole lot if you just kept it as a backup plan incase something would go wrong with your T5 unit, you decide to make some changes in the future with your tank, set up a frag tank, etc...

[ksreefbuilder]

yea, I can fit each one in a priority mail flat rate box, so for all 3 it would eb around $30. I might keep them if I dont fint a half way nice offer, the digital timers are amazing, with tons of options and cycles.

[ksreefbuilder]

what type of ballast is this? Magnetic ballasts, right?

[ksreefbuilder]

I would still like to know what kind of ballast this is for sure if anyone can help. Thanks

[pogodzib]

Yes, it is a magnetic ballast. If you go to Hellolights.com, under the MH Ballasts section, go to magnetic and then to the correct wattage and you'll see what they charge for new magnetic ballasts with a capacitor.

[ksreefbuilder]

Wow, thats what I needed to know. Thanks Brian.