High Pressure Sodium Lighting

[sacramonel]

I am able to obtain High Pressure Sodium fixtures inexpensively. I would like to know if anyone believes these lighting systems can be used for reef aquariums.

 

[SkiFletch]

Usually not. Most HPS lamps are in the red to yellow range of the spectrum whereas for saltwater you want blue to purple. Unless you can find 10k or higher bulbs its not the best. You could use it for fish only (colors would look wierd) but not for corals as thats just not the right spectrum for them.

 

[crazyelece]

I agree high pressure sodium lamps are no good for marine purposes.

 

[andywg]

HPS can be used in marine aquaria.

The only problem is getting a more asthetic light spectrum. Most bulbs are around the 5000K and under section, which will still give fairly good coral growth but will look like a tank of urine.

In this thread, someone found a 10,000K bulb for his HPS (though on re-reading he does not clarify whether the bulb obtained was HPS or MH).

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...08592&hl=sodium

It could well be that with a couple of actinic tubes and a couple of 14K or higher tubes you could get a nice look on the tank, and still provide a decent amount of light for the tank. After all, even if the HPS is 4,000K, it is a lot closer to the colour of the sun (6,700K) than 14,000K and thus should still provide good growth. As mentioned before, the problem would be with asthetics.

 

[sacramonel]

Thank you. I was thinking of using the HPS ligthing along with the 10000k florescent lighting. I will give the HPS lighting a shot, and will post if it is successful.

 

[andywg]

If you go that route, I would recommend a higher colour temp, such as 14000K, or even higher, flourescants if you can to try and get more blue in to counter the yellow output of most HPS lamps.