Metal Halide Q&A

thanks for the advice, I didn't know that about the SE. But I ordered the phoenix bulbs last night so I guess I'm stuck with 'em personally i like to purple super actinics as well. Appreciate your input!

 

Sorry I didn't see your post sooner :-/
But at least it's still a quality bulb so it's not like it's bad or your going to have issues with the SE version lol.

 

i understand about the arc putting out different wave lengths which some are more beneficial to your corals but i had though that 6500 put out the most useful light wavelengths etc thats why i was confused

 

the chemicals that are being excited in the arc are the ones emitting the wavelengths. each chemical has a different wavelength that it emits when the arc forms.

kelvin has nothing to do with better or worse. the chemicals inside your bulb's reaction chamber determine better or worse wavelengths. Kelvin is just a word to sum up the final color product that your eyes see.

 

ooo so in your expereince what would be the best bulb for appeal and coral growth and besides the best bulb what would also be the most cost effective bulb with good quality....im looking into setting my mhs up soon

 

Best bulb: Radium (SE), Ushio 14k (SE or DE), or Phoenix 14k (DE only)
Most cost effective: phoenix at $55. radium and ushio are both about $80 each

 

thats more than i spent on the fixture lol....i havent decided if i will set up the MHs yet or not though i might ask for some LEDs for christmas lol

 

Be careful... I can't say I'm an "expert" on lighting but I sure can say that I know my stuff very well when it comes to wavelengths, and I know a lot about LEDs. Be careful with what you get into because they aren't there yet.

 

ive read into a lot of people with much success and all the tanks ive seen with LEDs with beautiful corals and the tank looks beautiful....i dont plan on just diving in with any fixture but i will definitely do my research

 

sorry This might be a dumb question but i am a newb. I have a metal halide bulb how do i install it do i need a ballast or a fixture, if yes what type. the bulb is a AquaPro : 250 watts (14000K), and will this be enough for my 48" long tank, checked par and watts, i think i might need two. thanks in advance.