There are tips....I can give...
The high wattage ones that I know that require ballasts are
Lights of America Fluorix (sp?) usually they are 65 watt but I think higher are available....but they work only on specific fixtures designed for the lamps. The fixtures has ballast inside...
Lightbulbs that looks like the following
like this would simply be screwed into the mains on 120 volts (just plug it in)
Now there are ones that says "Screws in 175 watt Mercury Vapor fixtures" are those that works on ballasts that were designed for mercury vapor fixtures....
More information would be helpful and I can do search or contact someone (like one of members and see if they can help) I wish I worked in the store where you found the bulb and I would have been more than happy to help!
Hope you are OK!!!