the universal is multi-position i.e. horizontal or vertical. Looks like the ground that is sticking out. The bulb might be damaged. Can you change out the bulb?
250W bulb: http://www.growannex.com/bulbs/16188-ultra-sun-250-hps.html $12.95 <- will work with your lumatek.
complete 250W system: http://www.growannex.com/lighting-packages/28259-250w-grow-light-package.html $115
used the ultra sun, works great. the reflector is sun system (USA made) great...
try this one 35W 65 L/min: http://www.growannex.com/air-pumps/18238-commercial-air-3--35-watt--.html
or this one 80W 88L/min: http://www.growannex.com/air-pumps/18239-commercial-air-5---80-watt--.html
The first one is obviously more efficient. The ebay one (hydrofarm) is 60W at 70L/min
Having used both, I would definitely recommend the phresh filter over the can. First off, the Can filter use dirtier carbon, heavier metal and poor air flow. The CAN 150 flows 1260cfm while the phresh 14"x50" flows 3800cfm! The phresh also comes with a flange.
you can purchase a phresh 10"x39"...
from what I see, to get from foot candles to micromols (umols/m2/s) you multiply:
HPS: foot candles by 0.13
MH: foot candles by 0.15
from this and calculations of lumens to foot candles, there seems to be a direct relationship between lumens and photons. but from reading I have done, there is...
You have to understand the difference between the bacterias and fungi. GH, including piranha and tarantula are mycorrhizae and tricoderma. Voodoo contains the bacillus bacteria (especially Bacillus subtilis) which has been shown to prevent pythium (root rot). You only need to use it for a 2-3...
For those that can't find the lowes unit, I found an hps unit (with bulb) for $59.95 here: http://www.growannex.com/reflectors/16632-sun-system-hps-150w-reflector.html
A digital ballast is going to be more energy efficient. More of the energy goes into light production than heat production. If you match up the proper bulb with the proper electronic ballast, you should see an improvement over magnetic.
The interference usually comes from having long cables between the ballast and reflector. That cable acts as a high frequency antennae. Keep the cable as short as possible and you'll be fine.
the turbo select 1000W galaxy $198 here...