🚀 go-pugleaf

I want to build a light hood for a marine aquarium.  This requires intense
light with a spectrum that closely matches the sun.  The best results seem
to be with metal halide arc lamps.  Commercially available units sell for
about $400.00 and use 2 175 watt lamps.  I am a dialysis patient on a
fixed income and am looking for a (much) less expensive way out.  I have no
problem making a unit but need some information on metal halide lights.  I
have had lots of experience in electronic design and construction, but my
knowledge is badly lacking in this area.  People in the local electric supply
houses either don't know anything or don't want to talk to you unless you are
a contractor and about to spend mega bucks.  Therefore I very much need some 
kind soul on the net who can answer some question for me.

1) Mercury vapor street lights can be had at very reasonable prices. Can
you use a 175 watt metal halide lamp with a 175 watt mercury vapor ballist?

2) If not, where can you get ballists and sockets without paying an arm and
leg?

2a) Are high frequency ballists available at reasonable prices?  If so where?

3) Can you mount these lamps in any position?

4) Is there any place where junk fixtures could be obtained cheap and the 
ballists salvaged.

5) What else do I need to know?

Please direct follow ups to sci.electronics or respond to me directly.  Any
information would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
-- 
Andy Pitts andy@rbdc.UUCP  : "The giant Gorf was hit in  one eye  by a stone,
mtune  \                   : and that eye  turned  inward  so  that it looked
kd4nc   !gladys!rbdc!andy  : into his mind and he died of what he saw there."
pacbell/                   :   --_The Forgotten Beast of Eld_, McKillip--