Mercury Vapor lights?

[fishin]

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]

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]

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

 

[schoeplein]

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]

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]

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

 

[Bearfan]

I've got a mercury vapor light (the one's at walmart are junk, btw) on a pole light not too far from the front corner of my driveway. It's ultra-bright and very very hot.

 

[OceanMist]

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 MH.

 

[aquanaut]

If you doa search on Google , there is a site that uses the ballast and parts from that light with a 250 watt MH bulb ( Iwasaki i think) .Says DIY MH lighting for under $100.

 

[bound_for_obx]

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