Not sure where to get the remote ballast, but I make my own instead. Gumball and I both have them in a PC. I use the 150W in my Fridge grow chamber too. Do you do DIY stuff? A remote ballast isn't too hard to make. I'd say the 150W would be good for 2.5 sq. ft. All CMH under the 250W Don't use the HPS. They use a Pulse Start Metal Halide. If you need help let me know. I'm sure Gumball would help too. Ballast kit for the 150W is around $50. Fitting stuff in small cabinets can be hard.
Here is the 250 which I would recommend over the 150 as it will also run hps bulb as well as it is a retrofit designed for the hps ballasts. The 150 will require a pulse start and more expensive ballast. Here's a great deal...
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=47994
beat me to it, that is a good deal and that reflector will fit in your box, I kinda wish they sold that reflector seperately... only avail as a pkg deal
I'm not sure of the temp on a 250W vs. the 150W. Either way you'll love the CMH. Here's the one I make.
I knew you'd chip in.
It's the heat that made me think 150W. It is a hard call.I like the idea of using the 250 as well. I won't know about the heat though until I buy it so that kind of sucks. Right now I have 7 cfls in there: 1 65w, 2 42w, & 4 23w. I know cfls don't put off much heat, but when you have a bunch they do add a noticeable amount of heat.
I have a td100 that keeps my 24x24x60" cab reasonably cool(mid 80s 2 feet above canopy) with a diy carbon filter so that should be plenty to keep your cab cool, however remember that if you use a cooltube or any glass it will stop the UVB which is one of the niceties of CMH bulbs, but you would still retain the full spectrum of visible light which is its main plus
welcome, glad to have ya!
Definitely wanna use cool tube or a bake a round (ol' DIY Dapper Dan style) with as much air flow through it, or sucking the air from the top with air inlet from the bottom should take care of heat as the cmh the heat is directed 95% upwards if I recall correctly and the 250 htg setup looks like a decent small adjustable reflector...My two cents for what it is worth..
Depends on which cooltube or glass used...some will allow almost 60% of the uvb through...But I would prefer open fixtures as well...just remember if it is on and a drop of liquid hits it chances are the glass outer bulb may crack or break so extreme care will be needed in such a small confined space
