metal halide

[zdoo2]

hey, i was wondering if there is a difference between the large industrial metal halide lights and the metal halide lights at the lfs. the onbly difference i see is ventilation issues and industrial only being a fraction of the price. on ebay, industrial fixtures are like 50$ while lfs fixtures are hundreds of dollares. couldn't u just use one of the big industrial lights to light a reeftank?

 

[VLDesign]

Should be the same thing.. Anything that can be purchased outside of the fish trade will always be much cheaper.

 

[akskirmish]

It draws a ton more electricity-

 

[zdoo2]

It draws a ton more electricity-

yes they do, but stuff from lfs should use more as industrial wont use something that is inefficient in the long run, right?

 

[tunerX]

The bulbs and ballasts will be the same with different packaging since they are for a different use. Industrial will use MH to spread light over a greater area. Aquarium use will focus the light over a couple square feet instead.

Most of the industrial lights will have a lower Kelvin rating, depending on its use, freeways, medical, manufacturing, ... etc. As you move higher up in kelvin you move higher up in cost. 10k, 14k, and 20k will cost you more money and may not be necessary in your setup.

Companies don't make special light bulbs and ballasts just for fish, there is not enough money in that. Instead aquarium light manufacturers buy commercially available bulbs and ballasts and make them specific to aquariums.

 

[kcress]

In the industry that is called a "High Bay Fixture".

It is designed to project the light way down on the floor. This is really different from a foot into your tank. Also the one you show is likely 1,000W or possibly even 1,500W. Perhaps a little too much?

That said, you can use some industrial fixture with good results.

I use one of these on my tank.
http://www.rabweb.com/product_detail.php?product=EZHH70DTW

I've had it for about 4 years running 16hr/day 365. As is typical I hung it from a ceiling hook for a temporary test. Then never "installed it". It is hung about 7" above the water. It's fully weatherproof. The front glass needs to be cleaned regularly due to splash. I think I paid about $100 for it new. It's silent. (Luckily!)

Look for HID floodlights. They're everywhere. But I would suggest getting just one and messing with it before committing to the idea.

 

[zdoo2]

In the industry that is called a "High Bay Fixture".

It is designed to project the light way down on the floor. This is really different from a foot into your tank. Also the one you show is likely 1,000W or possibly even 1,500W. Perhaps a little too much?

That said, you can use some industrial fixture with good results.

I use one of these on my tank.
http://www.rabweb.com/product_detail.php?product=EZHH70DTW

I've had it for about 4 years running 16hr/day 365. As is typical I hung it from a ceiling hook for a temporary test. Then never "installed it". It is hung about 7" above the water. It's fully weatherproof. The front glass needs to be cleaned regularly due to splash. I think I paid about $100 for it new. It's silent. (Luckily!)

Look for HID floodlights. They're everywhere. But I would suggest getting just one and messing with it before committing to the idea.

nice, the one is pic is 400W