Mercury Vapor lights? - Aquarium Advice

fishin · 07-19-2005, 05:51 AM

Has anyone used a outdoor security light that has a mercury vapor bulp in it? Can you get a regular 10k or 12k bulb for them? Or can you not use them?

Thanks

skennelly · 07-19-2005, 01:17 PM

You can't use Mercury Vapor Bulbs they are very yellow and would make your tank look like crap. And also the spectrum of light alone wouldn't be very good for a tank.

fishin · 07-19-2005, 01:42 PM

Could you get a aquarium bulb to use with that kind of fixture?

schoeplein · 07-19-2005, 01:59 PM

It would be a lot of fun trying to find a bulb that matched the size and spec you would be looking for. I'm assuming you're referring to the construction type halide lights that have the small (half-inch thick, 6" long or longer) double ended bulbs? These are designed to produce as much light, with as little power as possible -- not to provide a specific light band for your fish tank.

However... if you can figure out the style bulb that is, you can find someone who supplies various spectrums/gasses in that bulb.

Maybe this: http://www.elights.com/usmethal15hq.html

or this would work: http://www.elights.com/us25hqidoube.html

Dont take my word for fact - I don't know, but I'm thinking that would be what you were looking for.

fishin · 07-19-2005, 04:14 PM

The lights i am talkin about are the ones that take a screw in bulb. They sell them at wall-mart. On the box they say mercury vapor 7,000 lumens Outdoor security lights. Comes with a 6 or 8 in bulb that is a screw in type.

schoeplein · 07-19-2005, 04:48 PM

What brand is the fixture? If I can see the specs on it I might be able to find you a bulb...

Bearfan · 07-19-2005, 11:11 PM

I've got a mercury vapor light (the one's at walmart are junk, [acronym:1c83953466="By the way"]btw[/acronym:1c83953466]) on a pole light not too far from the front corner of my driveway. It's ultra-bright and very very hot.

OceanMist · 07-28-2005, 08:36 PM

I used a MV on my tank for a while (not outdoor security but a plant growth one, single ended screw in) - completely useless, bright yellow and horrible brown and red algae all over the tank, scrapped it and bought a [acronym:7a4566ede5="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:7a4566ede5].

aquanaut · 07-28-2005, 08:52 PM

If you doa search on Google , there is a site that uses the ballast and parts from that light with a 250 watt [acronym:141db5c747="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:141db5c747] bulb ( Iwasaki i think) .Says [acronym:141db5c747="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:141db5c747] [acronym:141db5c747="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:141db5c747] lighting for under $100.

bound_for_obx · 07-28-2005, 11:19 PM

Heres the Diy $100 Metal Halide link...
http://aquarium.union.rpi.edu/articles/DIY_MH.html

07-19-2005, 05:51 AM	#1
fishin Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 26 Images: 5	Mercury Vapor lights? Has anyone used a outdoor security light that has a mercury vapor bulp in it? Can you get a regular 10k or 12k bulb for them? Or can you not use them? Thanks __________________ 75 gallon oceanic [acronym:6807a3bc27="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym:6807a3bc27] w/a couple corals Jebo 4/65w [acronym:6807a3bc27="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:6807a3bc27] 30 gallon sump/refugium

07-19-2005, 01:42 PM	#3
fishin Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 26 Images: 5	Could you get a aquarium bulb to use with that kind of fixture? __________________ 75 gallon oceanic [acronym:6807a3bc27="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym:6807a3bc27] w/a couple corals Jebo 4/65w [acronym:6807a3bc27="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:6807a3bc27] 30 gallon sump/refugium

07-19-2005, 01:59 PM	#4
schoeplein Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 511	It would be a lot of fun trying to find a bulb that matched the size and spec you would be looking for. I'm assuming you're referring to the construction type halide lights that have the small (half-inch thick, 6" long or longer) double ended bulbs? These are designed to produce as much light, with as little power as possible -- not to provide a specific light band for your fish tank. However... if you can figure out the style bulb that is, you can find someone who supplies various spectrums/gasses in that bulb. Maybe this: http://www.elights.com/usmethal15hq.html or this would work: http://www.elights.com/us25hqidoube.html Dont take my word for fact - I don't know, but I'm thinking that would be what you were looking for. __________________ Tank: 55g w 275# LR Fish: 2xPercula Clownfish, Cherub Angel, Scopal Tang, Zebra Barred Goby Invertebrates: Green Zoanthids, Serpent Starfish, Featherdusters, Various Hermits Snails: Turbo, Astrea, Bumble Bee, Cerith, Nassarius Lighting: Coralife 1x275w MH 20,000K, Coralife 2x65w PC 50/50 Equipment: 8w UV Filter, Rio800, BioWheel, 125 Skimmer Tank Birthdate: 12/25/2004

07-19-2005, 04:14 PM	#5
fishin Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 26 Images: 5	The lights i am talkin about are the ones that take a screw in bulb. They sell them at wall-mart. On the box they say mercury vapor 7,000 lumens Outdoor security lights. Comes with a 6 or 8 in bulb that is a screw in type. __________________ 75 gallon oceanic [acronym:6807a3bc27="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym:6807a3bc27] w/a couple corals Jebo 4/65w [acronym:6807a3bc27="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:6807a3bc27] 30 gallon sump/refugium

07-19-2005, 04:48 PM	#6
schoeplein Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 511	What brand is the fixture? If I can see the specs on it I might be able to find you a bulb... __________________ Tank: 55g w 275# LR Fish: 2xPercula Clownfish, Cherub Angel, Scopal Tang, Zebra Barred Goby Invertebrates: Green Zoanthids, Serpent Starfish, Featherdusters, Various Hermits Snails: Turbo, Astrea, Bumble Bee, Cerith, Nassarius Lighting: Coralife 1x275w MH 20,000K, Coralife 2x65w PC 50/50 Equipment: 8w UV Filter, Rio800, BioWheel, 125 Skimmer Tank Birthdate: 12/25/2004

07-19-2005, 01:17 PM	#2
skennelly Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois USA Posts: 125	You can't use Mercury Vapor Bulbs they are very yellow and would make your tank look like crap. And also the spectrum of light alone wouldn't be very good for a tank.

07-19-2005, 11:11 PM	#7
Bearfan Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 3,554 Images: 45	I've got a mercury vapor light (the one's at walmart are junk, [acronym:1c83953466="By the way"]btw[/acronym:1c83953466]) on a pole light not too far from the front corner of my driveway. It's ultra-bright and very very hot. __________________ 75 gal w/ 75 gal sump, 25 gal fuge with Chaeto and 25 gal frag - 4x65 PC w/ Moonlite on the main tank, 2x20W PC on the fuge, 4x20W PC on the frag 72 Gal Bowfront Planted w/ 2x65 PC and 40W T8

07-28-2005, 08:36 PM	#8
OceanMist Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 299	I used a MV on my tank for a while (not outdoor security but a plant growth one, single ended screw in) - completely useless, bright yellow and horrible brown and red algae all over the tank, scrapped it and bought a [acronym:7a4566ede5="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:7a4566ede5].

07-28-2005, 08:52 PM	#9
aquanaut Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brockton Ma USA Posts: 220 Images: 1	If you doa search on Google , there is a site that uses the ballast and parts from that light with a 250 watt [acronym:141db5c747="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:141db5c747] bulb ( Iwasaki i think) .Says [acronym:141db5c747="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:141db5c747] [acronym:141db5c747="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:141db5c747] lighting for under $100. __________________ Salt will raise your blood pressure, Saltwater will lower it . Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering? I think so Brain, but there's still a bug in there from last time.

07-28-2005, 11:19 PM	#10
bound_for_obx Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 773	Heres the Diy $100 Metal Halide link... http://aquarium.union.rpi.edu/articles/DIY_MH.html __________________ 75 gal 4x65w PC AquaC Remora Pro 140#s Live Rock from LiveRocks.com Frogspawn, Hammer, Zoos, Leather Frag, and Xenia and Green Star Polyp frags from fishfreek and Alarmguy66, Thanks! Member of the Unofficial A-Team

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
aquarium seeler vapor in eyes help please	Mghslowell	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	6	03-06-2006 02:48 PM
mercury test	petlover	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	3	10-03-2005 01:32 PM
Cyano vapor toxic to humans?	William	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	8	04-12-2004 02:42 AM
The differences between Mercury Vapor and Metal Halide	dr.diggler	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	7	10-21-2003 01:12 PM
Mercury tiny BUBBLES	aldo	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	1	10-20-2003 12:43 AM