Lighting Question?

[Bomber]

hey guys!

I found another type of mh bulb, but there not used for fish tanks only..they can be used for anyhting...i was wondering if i could use them in my tank..or do i need a special kind of mh bulb (or are they all the same)

the bulbs come in 100, 150, 200, 300, and 500 watt!

here is a picture of the light! they also come with the casing aound the bulb! you can get them in just aluminum, white, or black finish..

if these work it will same me ALOT of money!

 

[l337dave]

hey guys!

I found another type of mh bulb, but there not used for fish tanks only..they can be used for anyhting...i was wondering if i could use them in my tank..or do i need a special kind of mh bulb (or are they all the same)

the bulbs come in 100, 150, 200, 300, and 500 watt!

here is a picture of the light! they also come with the casing aound the bulb! you can get them in just aluminum, white, or black finish..

if these work it will same me ALOT of money!

petpirates did a 'how to' on how to use these so if you search for that you'll be well in with those units I think all you'll have to do is change the bulb for a 10k or whatever you want.


dave.

 

[SkiFletch]

Be careful, some of those industrial double ended setups are just the fixture and bulb and do NOT have built in ballasts... Gotta make sure it has a ballast to fire the lamp

 

[Bomber]

i don't think these lights need ballasts? they just have to be pluged in and they come on right away? my dad has a few of these light for lighting up the back yard....all he does is just plug them in, or flick a switch..
do mh bulbs give off certin rays? or anyhting..do they need to be a cirtin kind? or are all mh bulbs the same?
i really am not shour


thanks

Billy

and l337dave.. i can't find that link..do you know were i can find it?

 

[SkiFletch]

If they dont have ballasts they're halogen lamps, a totally different type of bulb. Halogens are incapable of putting out the proper spectrum of light to grow corals, and even struggle to grow terrestrial plants.

Metal halide bulbs are all similar in their technology. They pass a really high voltage (low current) through a halogen gas which superheats inside and emits UV radiation. Without a ballast, you cannot generate the proper voltage to run the bulb (sometimes as high as 600VAC depending on the bulb). Then, phosphors on the inside of the bulb glow and convert that UV radiation to visible light before it leaves the bulb. The type of phosphors used dictates the type of light that comes out. Some MH bulbs are designed for growing terrestrial plants, others for freshwater plants, and still others for marine aquaria. There is little difference between single and double ended bulb other than the manner in which they're mounted.

Hope that sheds some light on things for ya

 

[Bomber]

Dam your good!
thanks yet agin...ya thoes bulbs will not work then.. o well i'll just have to buy the expencive bulbs ..haha

 

[l337dave]

Dam your good!
thanks yet agin...ya thoes bulbs will not work then.. o well i'll just have to buy the expencive bulbs ..haha

the halogen fixtures will work but as ski says you'll need to wire a ballast to them, whatever 'on the cheap' lighting you go for you should get a new bulb anyways.

here's the thread that I was talking about:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=147416

these are the bulbs he sells at his site:

http/www.petpirates.com/shop/index.php?m...ex&cPath=65



dave.

 

[mr.dark-saint]

Bomber - Are you going for the industrial look? Them lights get "HOT". As for the UV thing SkiFletch mentioned the sheet of glass (in front of it) is supposed to absorb it. If you're just looking for light then I'd use it. Build a stand out of couple of Saw Horses (welded steel made to look like saw horses would be best ) a Plank of thick enough wood for the top. Couple of hard hats and placed in a garage since them lights will fade where the beams land .

 

[Bomber]

ok..ya i'am not going to fool around with thoes lights!..i just thouhg they would of worked..but nevermind..haha i'am just going to buy the same mh lights that are in my tank now

thanks

Billy

 

[rhysiboy]

i spose its always better to buhy the propper kit (or make it yourself as long as its good) brecause its definately gonna work. also the fixtures are very cool looking