metal halide advice needed

seafood · 02-12-2006, 12:32 AM

I'm considering setting up an open-top tank with MH pendants. Currently, I have two closed-top tanks with compact fluorescents. They're doing pretty well.

My questions:

How often do MH bulbs need replacement? I replace my CFs annually. Will MHs last longer or not as long?

This tank will have, I hope, high-demand plants. Is the 3-watts per gallon rule of thumb still relevant with MH?

What are others' experiences with MH v. compact fluorescents? Are MHs better/worse/same?

Thanks everyone!

**Damon** · 02-12-2006, 07:21 AM

No experience with metal halides but I do know..........
Lighting is more "direct" than power compacts.
Gives off more heat
Hard to find spectrums you want
More expensive
May not be able to find wattage you want.
Unless your tank is 90+ gallons, I would stick with pcs.

cheseboy · 02-13-2006, 04:51 PM

Yeah, metal halide is mainly a lighting for reef tanks where they need an excessive amount of lighting. Just make sure you don't have an excessivly high a wattage on a planted tank or I beleve the plants will not benifit.

Daniel · 02-17-2006, 12:57 PM

be aware that if you fire upo the light and there is a momentary loss of power and then it comes back on the bulbs blow-they need 10-30 min cool down before restarting.

we run lighting towers(motorway maintaince etc) so I have experience with this kind of bulb failure regularly and the bulbs are not cheap.

02-12-2006, 12:32 AM	#1
seafood Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3 User Feedback: (0)	metal halide advice needed I'm considering setting up an open-top tank with MH pendants. Currently, I have two closed-top tanks with compact fluorescents. They're doing pretty well. My questions: How often do MH bulbs need replacement? I replace my CFs annually. Will MHs last longer or not as long? This tank will have, I hope, high-demand plants. Is the 3-watts per gallon rule of thumb still relevant with MH? What are others' experiences with MH v. compact fluorescents? Are MHs better/worse/same? Thanks everyone!

02-12-2006, 07:21 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	No experience with metal halides but I do know.......... Lighting is more "direct" than power compacts. Gives off more heat Hard to find spectrums you want More expensive May not be able to find wattage you want. Unless your tank is 90+ gallons, I would stick with pcs. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

02-13-2006, 04:51 PM	#3
cheseboy Freshwater Shrimp Dude Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Age: 16 Posts: 340 User Feedback: (1)	Yeah, metal halide is mainly a lighting for reef tanks where they need an excessive amount of lighting. Just make sure you don't have an excessivly high a wattage on a planted tank or I beleve the plants will not benifit. __________________ 20 Gallon Saltwater Tank status: Full Blown Reef! For Information and stories Visit my Journal Here! I Love Inverts!

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02-17-2006, 12:57 PM	#4
Daniel Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 41 User Feedback: (0)	be aware that if you fire upo the light and there is a momentary loss of power and then it comes back on the bulbs blow-they need 10-30 min cool down before restarting. we run lighting towers(motorway maintaince etc) so I have experience with this kind of bulb failure regularly and the bulbs are not cheap.

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