Can I use a plant light?

[Bunnylicked]

Being a gardener, I recently discovered that hydroponics enthusiasts also really like metal halides. :) I've been looking around, and I discovered that metal halide fixtures (like this) (http://www.hydroponics.net/c/126) that are made for plants seem to be very similar to simple metal halide fixtures made for aquariums - and they're hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Has anyone tried using metal halide fixtures made for hydroponics? Is it worth trying? Also, I understand that I might need to buy a blue aquarium bulb, but are there any other modifications I would need to make to the fixture?

[AGYDAL]

Yes...I use the light spill from one of my tanks that runs halide to winter my patio plants; also there are some nice ATO's for hydro systems you can use for an aquarium too.

[drunkfish3]

Being a gardener, I recently discovered that hydroponics enthusiasts also really like metal halides. :) I've been looking around, and I discovered that metal halide fixtures (like this) (http://www.hydroponics.net/c/126) that are made for plants seem to be very similar to simple metal halide fixtures made for aquariums - and they're hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Has anyone tried using metal halide fixtures made for hydroponics? Is it worth trying? Also, I understand that I might need to buy a blue aquarium bulb, but are there any other modifications I would need to make to the fixture?

Not sure if they will fire aquarium halide bulbs, but one main difference between reef halides and the ones you linked is the location of the ballast, the plant ones seem to be inclosed in the pendent adding more heat under a canopy and making them heavy.