Could I use this?

I found this MH light on eBay... It's a steal of a deal so I just wanted to know If I would be able to use this for coral growth.
Thanks
NEW 400 watt METAL HALIDE GROW LIGHT w 400w MH LAMP hps - eBay (item 400039233723 end time Apr-23-09 11:45:29 PDT)

 

I would be concern with heat issues. Sorry can't really help you here, but that's a really good deal

 

It is still a mogul ended bulb and nicely build reflector. My only concern would be the quality of the ballast. Goggle the ballast name and see if you here any bad reviews. My friend has remote ballasts and is on his 5th replacement. I haven't used this exact set-up you are inquiring about though. Hope that helps some.

 

That's a thought... I didn't think of that before

 

They don't list any color temperature in kelvins. For corals, you mostly see 10K, 14K or 20K in use. Daylight is like the sun at noon, and is 6500K. I think I read in the auction that it's a "daylight" bulb. This is generally not what you want for reefkeeping.

Even if you're not going to buy, you might consider looking around and reading about all the different lights commonly sold for reefkeeping at places like Drsfosterandsmith.com, marinedepot.com, hellolights.com, championlighting.com, aquacave.com, saltycritter.com, etc.

See what they're selling, and then you'll develop an understanding of what's sold for reefkeeping and why. Then you can go from there.

 

Thanks I'll be sure to check it out.

 

I have never really understood the concept of kelvins etc. I'll devote some time and do some reading up on it. I just came across this item and couldn't believe the price

 

no you cant it says HPS in the title that means high pressure sodium bulb

they produce a lower kelvin then the bulbs we use in the hobby, which is why they are suitable grow lights but not reef lights. maybe if you have a over a hundred gallon fuge you could.

as far as if you could replace the bulb i have no idea

 

Excellent point. That's enough information right there to cause you to steer clear of this deal. A bulb can be metal halide or high pressure sodium, but not both. It's either or.

If the seller doesn't know what it is, then neither can you! Sort of like a doctor that has a name tag that says one thing, and a diploma that says another.

Find another doctor!

 

Lol... I get you... Thanks guys.