MH Lighting question

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Phildo

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Nov 26, 2003
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I have found what I consider a great deal for a complete 175 watt MH light from an electrical wholesaler, $100. Only problem is that the bulb in the box is a 4000k bulb.
Question - Can I use any 175 watt bulb? i.e. 5500K or better? I don't think it would matter, but the guy in the store didn't have an answer. I'd hate to purchase a brand new 5500k bulb and blow out something or start a fire or something.
Does anyone know if any kind of MH light can burn any kind of bulb as long as the wattage is the same?
If not, what would the problem be? In the ballast? What kind of compatibility should I be looking for in a MH ballast and the bulbs necessary for our reefs?

One more thing I just discovered. Is the ANSI type what I'm looking for because if so, this may work. The spec sheet says m57 for the ballast and I see m57 on most bulbs. Maybe this is the thing that has to match?

Does anyone know what any of this means?
 
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I can't answer the question, but if you check out www.reefcentral.com, there is a thread in the lighting forum that should help you. As I understand it, there are several different kinds of ballasts, and some will not fire the types of bulbs used for aquariums. I found this out when looking for lights for the new tanks--the industrial style ballasts, such as Home Depot and the like carry, are not compatible with the bulbs reef tanks need, and the bulbs that do fit them don't come in teh desirable specturm (10 or 20K, for the most part).
 
Okay, I looked there and its a wealth of info. Thanks!!
Also, does it matter that a MH bulb & reflector are open or is it better to have them sealed in a housing with a glass cover? What are the pros & cons for these?
 
Originally posted by Phildo
Also, does it matter that a MH bulb & reflector are open or is it better to have them sealed in a housing with a glass cover? What are the pros & cons for these?
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There are two main types of MH bulbs - single ended (SE), and double ended (DE). SE bulbs screw into a socket much like a regular household lamp bulb. DE bulbs snap into double-ended fixtures, like some halogen torche (sp?) lamps you may have seen.

DE bulbs require a piece of glass between the bulb and water surface to filter out UV rays. SE bulbs do not have this requirement.

Then there is the threat of splashing water. Many folks swear that you MUST have either glass or acrylic between the bulb and water surface to keep water splashes from popping your MH lamps. I agree that it's probably a good idea, but I've been running SE MH lamps on an open top tank since last spring and I haven't had any problems.
 
Originally posted by gcvt

but I've been running SE MH lamps on an open top tank since last spring and I haven't had any problems.
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Cool, this is what I was looking for. An open SE setup that somone has been running.
Have you had any splash on your bulbs that you know of? I have a bubble column up the middle of the aquarium, but most of it comes up right under the glass divider and my MH will be to the right and left of it.
Is there any risk of burning yourself on the bulbs when working on your aquarium?
 
Yes--you need to provide enough clearance that you can reach in without touching the bulb. For maintenance, I plan on turning the MH off completely, though they will be on for feeding and small water changes. I've seen a picture of someone who bumped the bulb after it had been on for 30 minutes--nasty burn!
 
Originally posted by Phildo


Cool, this is what I was looking for. An open SE setup that somone has been running.
Have you had any splash on your bulbs that you know of? I have a bubble column up the middle of the aquarium, but most of it comes up right under the glass divider and my MH will be to the right and left of it.
Is there any risk of burning yourself on the bulbs when working on your aquarium?
Click to expand...


I try to be very careful, but I have splashed my bulbs before...nothing happened. I get some salt buildup on the bulbs from splashes, etc. - I just clean them with rubbing alcohol to remove it.

And, yes, I've burned the %*!@$ out of myself before. I don't recommend it. ;)
 
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