Metal Halide option?

[dgk9723]

I was at home depot looking around and came across something similar to this http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Its a metal halide flood light and was wondering if i could use this instead of a one meant for aquariums. They also have much more powerful ones to but im just curious, anyone have inputs or anything on this?

 

[dgk9723]

ne body with some different lighting methods like that metal halide i posted?

 

[johnny roastbeef]

Sure those fixtures use metal halide lamps, but they are not designed for aquarium use. The color temperature of the lamp are going to be way too low for coral growth, and likely too low to be pleasing in an aquarium. What you are going to find is that lamps are going to be below 5000K, or warmer than natural day light. Most aquarists use lamps in the 10,000K to 20,000K range, which produce crisp, blue-white light. They make your water look clear and fish and corals look bright.

Think about how the street lights look from afar, warm and orangy. That is not what you are looking in an aquarium. Also that light you showed is only 100 watts, which is pretty low for aquarium use.

 

[duke33]

Ditto. I've tried all sorts of lighting on my 300. Stick to aquarium lighting for your best results.

 

[dgk9723]

well they have ones 150w- 300w, couldnt i use an aquarium metal halide bulb cause the fittings are the same??

 

[FLESHY]

Just do this...

www.aquatraders.com

Almost the same price...no risk of it not being good for the tank. I know several people (including myself) that have run these guy's systems for a long time without any issues.