Floodlight Halides

[rictheredneck]

http/www.commercial-lamps.co.uk/acatalog/Floodlights.html

would these lights work with the metal halide bulbs designed for aquarium use were fitted, keeping the wattage the same?

 

[andywg]

Yep, it's how I do mine.

 

[rictheredneck]

Yep, it's how I do mine.

and how does it perform? what size did you go for? am i missing something here because to buy one of these and change the bulb is hundreds of pounds cheaper than buying a complete unit from a shop - is it as easy as that?

 

[rhysiboy]

the fact that it looks alot uglier is prolly the main reasonof the price difference. Also many MH units have fans in i believe

 

[andywg]

Yep, it's how I do mine.

and how does it perform? what size did you go for? am i missing something here because to buy one of these and change the bulb is hundreds of pounds cheaper than buying a complete unit from a shop - is it as easy as that?

The moment you add the word "aquarium" to the product the price triples.

Mine do fine and I'm growing stony corals under 150W. I paid £70 for 2 150W units. Best thing is I managed to remove the ballast from the fixture and have that placed in the cabinet so that heat is not as much an issue.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yup, replace the bulbs with a marine spectrum of equal wattage and you're good to go. Just have to find a place to mount it and get a fan in there to keep it cool. Those are the real two challenges

 

[rictheredneck]

what sort of fan would one use? would a lil portable one you get from anywhere do?

 

[SkiFletch]

Sure, you dont need massive airflow, but you need something