Metal Halide

[abrahamavelar]

i have a few question about them, yesterday as i was looking to buy one i went to alot of lfs maybe like 10 if not more, and i noticed that some of them were nice and some looked like the ones you would find at home depot. and i asked them if i could use one of those from home depot and some said yes but that i needed to change the bulb and that ill need a ballast and a fan. some said no. and some said that i just needed the bulb and some didnt know. so my question is can i use one from home depot if i change the bulb? and if i cant why cant i?, i dont really mind how will it look like since im building a big wooden canopy plz help me out, pretty much i only needed in once spot due that my mom wants a clam and one hard coral really bad

 

[ccCapt]

can i use one from home depot if i change the bulb?

Yes.

 

[abrahamavelar]

cool thanks, also what bulb will be the best to use

 

[ccCapt]

What wattage? Are you looking for more PAR (whiter colored bulb) or more color (less PAR)?

 

[abrahamavelar]

well i dont really know im running 6 t5 that are 54 w each, and i just know that i need a MH for clams but not wat wattage i need and what kind of bulbs

 

[dannyb]

Well once you find the wattage out, Go something like 20000k, Gives a good white/blue look. How big is your tank? I'd say try to aim for 250watt, Ive had good sucsess with that.

 

[abrahamavelar]

i have a 75 gal but wouldnt too much light burn my other coral because i was planning on keeping my t5's, thanks for reply

 

[dannyb]

I have a 55gal cube, I run a 250w SE globe. My corals are thriving, I brought a elegance coral about 3 months ago, Its about 3x its original size, And my Duncan coral has about 6 or more heads. My Anemone is about double its size. And my poylps and mushrooms are spreading like crazy.

Up to you.

 

[abrahamavelar]

oh ok cool so any halide fixture will work for the 250 w bulbs or should i get one that says 250W

 

[jrp1588]

interesting, how much does a MH fixture cost at a lowes/home depot?

 

[abrahamavelar]

the light i saw it for 40 bucks and at the lf the cheapest one i saw was 350

 

[jrp1588]

wow, that's quite a markup. I wonder what the difference is? I imagine the reflector quality isn't as good, but reflectors aren't THAT expensive

 

[abrahamavelar]

and actually the reflector on the one from home depot are shinier than the ones for fish thats why i was wondering , the only thing ill have to make a base but thats easy and ill get a clip on fan so it cools it down and the fan is like ten bucks

 

[ccCapt]

You MUST match the wattage of the bulb and ballast. You can't run a 250w bulb in a 175w ballast for example. You would be fine with a 175w ballast and a 175w Iwaski 15k bulb. You will get as much PAR from that bulb as many 250's and it's a bright white color.

wow, that's quite a markup. I wonder what the difference is? I imagine the reflector quality isn't as good, but reflectors aren't THAT expensive

You get what you pay for. A good, quality reflector will run around $100 or more.
http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=285

 

[tony1021]

sorry to steal this thread but i also had a questions about MH...im looking at purchasing this unit and wanted some feedback...

24'' Metal Halide 150 HQI T5 HO Aquarium Lighting Light - eBay (item 180381727208 end time Dec-09-09 08:57:15 PST)

have a 55 gallon tank thats 22" deep...and its a corner tank

 

[dannyb]

You MUST match the wattage of the bulb and ballast. You can't run a 250w bulb in a 175w ballast for example. You would be fine with a 175w ballast and a 175w Iwaski 15k bulb. You will get as much PAR from that bulb as many 250's and it's a bright white color.


You get what you pay for. A good, quality reflector will run around $100 or more.
Metal Halide Aquarium Reflectors

Was just about to say the exact same thing. You need a ballast which can be expensive sometimes.

 

[abrahamavelar]

oh ok so i wont only need the light but the ballast aswell? and can i find the ballast at home depot or lowes too? or where would i found it?

 

[dannyb]

Im not to sure about that. It may come with a ballast, But if not they would propably sell them there.

 

[abrahamavelar]

oh ok cool ill go and check it out tomorrow after work