metal halide/halogen

[reptileguy2727]

anyone used, or know why you shouldnt, metal halide or halogen bulbs from lowes (the ones used for outdoor floodlights etc.)? i was there today on another project and noticed they had high wattages metal halide, halogen, and mercury vapor fixtures and bulbs for a heck of a lot cheaper than ones made for reef tanks. i know they wont just plug in, ill have to actually wire them separate, but can anyone let me know why this may not be a good idea?

[oscar83]

Funny, I was in Home Depot today and saw those flood lights and thought the same exact thing. My only guess why you couldnt use them is because those bulbs arent a good color temperature for aquariums, especially reefs. I believe those bulbs are in the 5000k area and in a reef you really dont want anything less than 6500k. Thats my opinion anyway...

[kjf91004]

I don't really fully understand it, but I think it also has to do with the leumens of light given... which I think is more like a measurement of the ability of the lamp to get the "light" to where you need it instead of generally broadcasting it. Kind of like the "useable" light. But I could be wrong. I am sure someone else will know a lot about this.

Edit: I think DIY deals are out there if you know what you are looking at and comparing.

[mysis]

The colour of the bulb is totally wrong. 5000k is yellow, for reefs ideally you want 10 000k and upwards. All it will do is grow algae.

[reptileguy2727]

are the bulbs interchangable? what if i found an outdoor floodlight in the right spectrum? because i know their metal halides were blue/white and the halogens were white (and according to the guy, brighter).

[Mr.Firemouth]

Guys, if you haven't bought a light sytem then don't buy the MH. T5 is the way to go!!!
My T5's are actually growing the heck out of superman monti. They run cooler, last longer, bulbs are cheaper, and the cost less in electric!!! The only reason to go MH is to punch water deeper than 24". I still grow acros with great color at 31" in a 240 with 12 T5!!!

[mysis]

I bet my growth is probably double yours with a 400w MH on a 75 gallon, imo if you can afford MH then go MH. You get a cool shimmer aswell.

Depending on the amount of T5 bulbs that you are running it may be cheaper to buy MH. Fans will knock down the heat. IMO Metal Halide is the best and always will be.

[reptileguy2727]

so if i get outdoor metal halide or halogen lights that are of the right temperature, they will work?

[mysis]

If you get one that is 10 000 kelvin to 20 000k it would be perfect.

[fishieness]

so if i get outdoor metal halide or halogen lights that are of the right temperature, they will work?
an outdoor MH, yes, it would work. but not a halogen. the reason why you shouldnt use them has nothing to do with the bulb temp. a 5500K bulb will grow corals like mad, you jsut wont get as good color because it has a higher PAR rating (not lumens). so your tank will look super yellow, but it is possible.
but the reason why you shouldnt use halogens is because they get a lot hotter than even MH. youll be adding gallons and gallons in top off water a day. plus you may have super temp issues which woudl cause you to get a chiller. and for that price, you could get a sweet lighting setup.
so yes, you can use any MH as long as it is outdoor. however, with just about every aquarium ballast, you will get a higher PAR. most MH units that arent meant for the aquarium are on magnetic ballasts, or jsut not very good ones. a good electric ballast like an icecap or blue wave would be a lot better.

[star_rider]

what about compact flo??

[Lobo.]

i'm not quite shure what u mean my compact flo... but ive used those energy saving compact floressant bulbs (the spiral screw in ones) for my 10 gal nano, the sunlight bulbs are 5,500k and 55watts total (i used two)which i supliment with screw in 10w 50/50 bulbs (50% 6,500k 50% 10,000k) and so far this is working great for my nano, although im only planning on getting zoos and star polyps... maybe some shrooms...

if u can find a 10,000k light at home depo, please tell me, i'll be very happy
if your not going into anything too fancy, anything over 6,000k (daylight) should work ok... just dont expect too much, and i would suppliment with some bluer lights for looks and for the productivity of the coral, even the coraline algie in my tank is almost glowing under the two 50/50's so its def. worth the extra $$ for the bluer lights.

[mysis]

temp. a 5500K bulb will grow corals like mad, you jsut wont get as good color because it has a higher PAR rating (not lumens)


Have you actually tested this theory?


Because it is wrong

[Mr.Firemouth]

Why do you say its wrong? I have used 4000k bulbs from the electrical supply store and have grown clams and lps. Bluer bulbs seem to color up more. even after you move the coral to another tank with other lights.

You knocked the T5's , Do you have any? If a lighting system is cheaper than MH with good growth and great color without energy or heat issues why not use it?

I agree MH are strong good lights, but if you are 24" or shallower you don't need all that.

[fishieness]

Have you actually tested this theory?


Because it is wrong
i absolutly have. ive used 20000K bulbs, 10000K, and 12000K. how is it wrong? the lower the K, the higher the PAR rating is. AKA, as long as you dont burn holes in your corals, they are going to be able to produce more E via photosynthesis and will grow faster. But without the blue light, they will not florece as much, thereby, not showing nearly as much color.
what K bulb are you running the 400s on? try the next exteme. if you are using a 10000K, try a 20000, if you are using a 20000K, try a 65000K. i garentee as long as other variables are maintained, what i ssaid will prove correct.
but im wondering, what makes you say it is wrong? to the best of my research, experience, and knowledge, it is 100% correct. just wondering what you are thinking