1st time grow question about metal halide

i just purchased a 250w metal halide clear bulb. i opened it up and that mfer is huge! i have no idea what im going to screw that big sucker in. it looks so big that i might have to get a street light to fit it in. what do i do? i hope this is no stupid question but im lost.
- 1. what do i get to screw that in?
- 2. should i return and buy something smaller? (because im looking just to plug light into wall and unplug it when dark is needed.)
i guess i jsut need lighting advice all in all. please help

You have to have a ballast and probably a type of socket called a mogul socket for your MH bulb.

what is a ballast and where do i get it.
what is a mogul socket and where do i get it.

you can probably get a 250w balast at homedepot or lowes. I know they have 175W.

Your best bet is to buy one designed for indoor growing, especially if you don't know much about HID lighting. htg supply has them or just google: 250W MH grow light.

ok i been reading the growfaqs all night. do i have to use a ballast? is there a MH or a HPS that fits into a regular light socket?

zebracakez said:

ok i been reading the growfaqs all night. do i have to use a ballast? is there a MH or a HPS that fits into a regular light socket?

Click to expand...

Nope, they all require a ballast.

LOL, you obviously haven't been reading enough. YES YOU HAVE TO USE A BALLAST! HID lighting doesn't run at 120V or else you COULD just plug it in to the wall. That, and they utilize (at least the newer digital ballasts do) much higher frequencies than stock electricity from your house.

my advice is too do alil bit more reading, round up everythink that you need and then start, thats my 2 cents

peace brother

had u REALLY been up all night u would know about them it take 5mins to read wat and how and why and where a MH bulb works and goes u liar!!!!

if u wanna just plug into regular light socket youll need cfls check out envirolites 125w and 200w they work well for veg as for flowering hps is the best bet mh works better for veg but not too good flowering u could also get a switchable ballast thatll take both hps and mh and grow a killer crop