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L# Freshwater Aquaria
 L# Planted Aquaria
  L# Metal Halides?
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SubscribeMetal Halides?
wildfish
Small Fry
Posts: 4
Kudos: 2
Votes: 3
Registered: 18-Mar-2009
male australia
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?
Post InfoPosted 19-Mar-2009 07:59Profile PM Edit Report 
FRANK
 
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Moderator
Posts: 5108
Kudos: 5263
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Registered: 28-Dec-2002
male usa us-colorado
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 <<<--
Post InfoPosted 19-Mar-2009 16:41Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
riri1
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Fish Addict
Posts: 537
Kudos: 435
Votes: 44
Registered: 04-Mar-2005
male
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.
Post InfoPosted 19-Mar-2009 21:51Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
wildfish
Small Fry
Posts: 4
Kudos: 2
Votes: 3
Registered: 18-Mar-2009
male australia
ok thankyou!
guess ill start looking for some t5s!
Post InfoPosted 20-Mar-2009 05:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
wildfish
Small Fry
Posts: 4
Kudos: 2
Votes: 3
Registered: 18-Mar-2009
male australia
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?
Post InfoPosted 21-Mar-2009 00:33Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Wingsdlc
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Fish Guru
What is this?
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Registered: 18-Jan-2005
male usa
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
Post InfoPosted 21-Mar-2009 02:05Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
wildfish
Small Fry
Posts: 4
Kudos: 2
Votes: 3
Registered: 18-Mar-2009
male australia
ok! thanks for your reply!
Post InfoPosted 22-Mar-2009 10:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Mez
 
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Asian Hardfeather Enthusiast
Posts: 3300
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Registered: 23-Feb-2001
male uk
Uhhhhhhhh...
metal halides are excellent for planted tanks if you can control the heat. They also make specific MH bulbs for freshwater.
Post InfoPosted 27-Mar-2009 23:12Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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