http://www.hellolights.com/17methalretk.html

With a 10,000K bulb it will be about $150 plus shipping. You will need a hood for it to go in though.

It depends on what you are using it for...

I wouldn't use them for a display tank. The CCT (correlated color temperature) is the Kelvin rating, so that bulb is 4,300K. Very very yellow and since that is a mogul base, the bulb will be HUGE. Aquarium MHs are generally long and narrow. That bulb is very large in the center.  You would only save about $100 i bet going that way. You could also get a mercury vapor (6500K) but that is still VERY yellow. Look at www.hellolights.com. The prices really aren't that bad.

Hi Randy,

I have used that exact bulb for a refugium. It is very yellow and has a medium base (most reef bulbs are mogul base...meaning you wont be able to buy a bluer bulb). It is not that much cheaper than buying a MH setup from www.hellolights.com

I would get a bulb with a Kelvin rating of at least 10,000K unless you like the yellow light, then get a 6500K. I believe that particular philips bulb is about 4000K (very yellow). It is very bright though (about as bright as a 400watt 10K bulb i had).

I am looking to DIY a MH setup.

In the janitor's closet at work I found these MH Lights:

Philips 175 Watt    product MH175/U/M

The Website gives them a lumen rating of: Initial 14,700 Median 9,555
http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/us/ecatalog/hid/displayh id.php?id=267

would these be sufficient, if I can get the janitor to order me some at their cost and a ballast to go with?

If so, how far from the water do they need to be if I do 2, one on each end?

Thanks,

Randy