Can I measure light?

A

AqEnthusiast

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Dec 19, 2011
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I have two metal halide 150w x 2 (3 feet tall 200g tank).. But I feel like the actual light is less (it does not seem bright enough as expected).. These are good quality osram bulbs...

www.plantedtank.net/forums/742201-post6.html

www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquascaping/14396-diy-co2-tank-bang.html

It is the Anne bulb as mentioned in these posts.. I think these are good quality bulbs for plants at around 5600-5800k? So I am sure it could be poor ballast.. But I have no idea /availability of other ballast to check.. What could be easier ways to measure light? I know photographers use light meters..will that help? How can I know I am getting proper light for what I am burning it? Are all 150w ballast same or it differs?


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Last edited:
#anne above is typo..meant SAME.. Swype keyboards of smart phones you know :)..

So please help me with above query..



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Most MH's tend to be pretty effective, but I used 2 x 175W on a 90 Gal many years ago...there was some hot spotting and some areas that lacked light. A 200 Gal tank likely needs 3 at a min for nice spread of light. I use mostly T5 bulbs due to the evenness/good spread, but the ripples from LED's and MH's are nice.
 
Thanks plantbrain...

One of my basic confusion about this is like this: as per what I studied on Web I do believe there are types of ballast. Now if a metal halide bulb lights in a particular ballast can it mean the ballast is suitable for the bulb otherwise it would have not ignited? Or that could still be incompatible leading to non optimal light?





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There is a lumens measuring device. Dunno how much it costs but I'm an electrician by trade and have seen guys test the amount of light output in rooms to make sure they are up to standards. Not sure if this helps

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you can find all sorts of different ballasts. and yes, you will need to make sure your bulbs are the correct ones for the ballast. typically with smaller sizes, ie 150-250 W you cant do too much wrong. check to insure your bulbs are the correct wattage. I found that with I used my metal halide 250W the light didnt seem all too impressive, but the plants and fish loved it. I would say leave it as is for while and see how the tank responds to it.
 
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