Can I use a MH bulb in my HPS ballast?

I have a 250w Hydrofarm HPS ballast. Can I use a 250w MH bulb in it?

If I can is every MH bulb the same? They have one at Lowes for $25.

Thanks all

if u have a switchable balast

i dunno some guy on you tube does it ask an electrician

Got it, switchable. Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately mine is not switchable.

you can use a 250 watt ceramic metal halide (CMH) bulb without switching anything.

here is an ass load of info for you to read on the subject.

dingbang said:

you can use a 250 watt ceramic metal halide (CMH) bulb without switching anything.

here is an ass load of info for you to read on the subject.

Click to expand...

that was a good link dude

and every mh bulb is not the same..MH bulbs of the same wattage can output different amounts of lumens depending on the brand...for example...a hortilux MH lamp will output more lumens than a standard GE MH bulb (if they make em..lol)....lumens directly relate to the amount of light that a bulb exerts for plant asorbtion. The more light absorbed the bigger the plants/buds will grow. It's best to get a MH bulb that gives off around 130,000 lumens and 145,000 lumens for HPS....some brands can get pretty expensive

If it's a magnetic ballast, between 250 - 400w - you could use a Philips Retro White CMH (ceramic metal halide) bulb. It's the best veg bulb on the market, and half the price of most conversion bulbs