Understanding Metal Halides?

FeatherDuster

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Mar 24, 2007
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I would like to place a couple of metal halides in my upcoming system. However I would like to understand how metal halides work and what each part does. Can anyone give a run down of metal halides? Like what type of pieces you need and what it does (ballast, lamp, blub).
 
Everything you'd need is generally included when you buy a retrofit kit, except maybe the bulb.

This will get you started, although it doesn't talk about reflectors, a key component:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_halide_lamp

Ah, thank you for the link. The reason I was to understand them is because I will buying one used. Some people only sell certain portions and I would like to know exactly what I am buying.
 
Generally if the fittings are of a good quality, you just need to make sure that you get new bulbs, or ask how many hours old the current bulbs are. The longer the running time the longer the wave lengths become, meaning a new bulbs run at around 400nm, this is at the blue end of the spectrum, as the bulb ages, the wavelengths get longer or move towards the red area, not that you would notice, unless you had an old and new bulb side by side, then it is noticeable. The thing is, is blue light or the lower end of the spectrum penetrates deeper into the water column, hence the reason water appears blue and not red to the naked eye.
 
MH_Lamp_Description.jpg
 
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