Philips 175-Watt ED28 Mercury Vapor High Intenstiy Discharge HID Light Bulb

Do I need a ballast with this light ?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-175-Watt-ED28-Mercury-Vapor-High-Intenstiy-Discharge-HID-Light-Bulb-140905/100115592#.UkkQatJZvw8 "6800K Daylight"

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-175-Watt-ED28-Mercury-Vapor-High-Intesntiy-Discharge-HID-Light-Bulb-140798/100204241#.UkkQJdJZvw8 "3700K Warm White"

Up up up up up up up!!

Yeah you need a ballast. Are those as efficient as HPS/MH?

Its efficient if you have a small grow op. HPS and HID is the same "correct me if im wrong."

All HPS is HID, but not all HID is HPS. Metal Halide is also considered HID, as is Mercury Vapor, etc.

I think you might find better results with T5's, a 250W HPS system, or something else along those lines. If I may suggest, I'd take a look at Philips MasterColor CDM bulbs. Their CMH bulbs (also HID) look very, very good to me.

Don't think those are a good choice you can get 4 ft HOT5 that pull 54 watts and do 10k lumens. For that kind of wattage you'd be better off getting something else.

Id go with T5 54W, It's more affordable than HPS -_____-"