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	Metal Halides?
wildfish Small Fry Posts: 4 Kudos: 2 Votes: 3 Registered: 18-Mar-2009	hi all!!! i have a 5x2x2 tank 150 gal by my calculatin. im thinking about turning is into a planted tank. ive seen some 400w metal halides advertised for $185 but ive had a look in a few places and cant find globes around 5000 6000k can i get them is there an alternative, im looking at running 1 of these lights. is ther another alternative? small cost prefered! would anyone know how much it would cost to run this lamp for 10 hours a day?
Posted 19-Mar-2009 07:59
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, MH lighting is designed for a reef tank with corals. It's not really a good idea for a FW planted tank, and gives off huge amounts of heat. Try using a hood or hoods containing Compact Flourscent bulbs or T-5 bulbs. That would give you the best light (8800K) with the least heat, for the least money. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 19-Mar-2009 16:41
riri1 Fish Addict Posts: 537 Kudos: 435 Votes: 44 Registered: 04-Mar-2005	to run the mh 10 hours a day at 400w would probly cost a lot. u could use a mh but ur tank would get extreamly warm and ud have to atleast put a chiller in so its not to hot and i wouldnt suggest and top fish because it could hurt them in the shot/long run.
Posted 19-Mar-2009 21:51
wildfish Small Fry Posts: 4 Kudos: 2 Votes: 3 Registered: 18-Mar-2009	ok thankyou! guess ill start looking for some t5s!
Posted 20-Mar-2009 05:29
wildfish Small Fry Posts: 4 Kudos: 2 Votes: 3 Registered: 18-Mar-2009	ok! thanks for pointing me in the right direction, now ive found some t5s for a good price! just like to know if they work like the energy saver lights when they say that a 7w globe is equivelent to say a 12w! also in the hood ive found the tubes have indervidual reflectors very shiny and the ad says it adds 50% more lumination! is this right? with these things considered am i still aiming for say 3wpg total globe wattage?
Posted 21-Mar-2009 00:33
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005	From what I have heard (never had a chance to really play with them myself) is that T5's with a good individual reflectors are quite powerful lights. You might be able to get a way with less wpg than with compact florescent lights. I have heard really good things about the compact florescent lights from ahsupply too. [link] http://ahsupply.com/96watt.htm[/link] 55G Planted tank thread 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
Posted 21-Mar-2009 02:05
wildfish Small Fry Posts: 4 Kudos: 2 Votes: 3 Registered: 18-Mar-2009	ok! thanks for your reply!
Posted 22-Mar-2009 10:44
Mez Ultimate Fish Guru Asian Hardfeather Enthusiast Posts: 3300 Votes: 162 Registered: 23-Feb-2001	Uhhhhhhhh... metal halides are excellent for planted tanks if you can control the heat. They also make specific MH bulbs for freshwater.
Posted 27-Mar-2009 23:12


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