metal halide/halogen

reptileguy2727

reptileguy2727

Not enough tanks, space, or time
Jan 15, 2006
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Northern Virginia
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?
 
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...
 
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.
 
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.
 
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).
 
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!!!
 
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.
 
so if i get outdoor metal halide or halogen lights that are of the right temperature, they will work?
 
reptileguy2727 said:
so if i get outdoor metal halide or halogen lights that are of the right temperature, they will work?
Click to expand...
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.
 
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