Metal Halide Bulbs or Fluorescent bulbs?

noctcrawler · Mar 16, 2009

I need to upgrade my lighting system some time in the near future; and I might consider building it from scratch. So which type of bulb lasts the longest in between of changes? Which one do you have to replace least often? And is either kind of bulb more suited to a particular kind of tank (i.e.: Freshwater or Saltwater)?

Ozymandias · Mar 16, 2009

not sure i know that MH's run really hot. personally i would look into a T5 system or go with Fluorescents, btw what type of tank is this for?

Cory Keeper · Mar 16, 2009

I'd look into T5 HO lighting for your tank. Only downside to it is no shimmer.

McLendon · Mar 16, 2009

The MH lights are more for SW/reef tanks and large/deep planted FW tanks over 100 gl. And they make A LOT of HEAT

Cory Keeper · Mar 16, 2009

I wouldn't go and say that..... MH would be good for FW tanks too, even more so if the owner is looking for that shimmer effect or a good 10K color.

But yeah, MH does have issues with heat.

noctcrawler · Mar 16, 2009

Ozymandias said:
btw what type of tank is this for?

Right now, I have a freshwater setup, but I would love to switch to saltwater.

noctcrawler · Mar 16, 2009

Cory Keeper said:
I'd look into T5 HO lighting for your tank. Only downside to it is no shimmer.

What's T5 HO and why is there no shimmer with it?


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Metal Halide Bulbs or Fluorescent bulbs?

noctcrawler

AC Members

Ozymandias

Metaframe junky

Cory Keeper

LED Guru of Aquaria Central

McLendon

AC Members

Cory Keeper

LED Guru of Aquaria Central

noctcrawler

AC Members

noctcrawler

AC Members