MH from Lowes?

I saw a 150W metal halide fixture and bulb for around $10. Any thoughts on two of these for a 14g biocube? Also anyone know why its so cheap? Thanks.

 

Most likely the temperature is between 2000K and 5000K which is way too low for a reef aquarium. You would want one around 10000K at the lowest.

 

They're so cheap because they're not designed for SW aquariums. Wattage means nothing- you need the proper Kelvin rating (color temp, spectrum, whatever you wish to call it), otherwise you'll have a tank full of dead corals smothered in nuisance algae. You also need a SW-proof enclosure and a high-quality reflector. You get none of these with a cheap MH shop light.

 

2in10 thanks for the reply. I figured as much. Is there a light that you would recommend?

 

If you are on a budget. I would get one of these
Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting - Metal Halide Fixture available in 18", 24", 30", 36", 48", 60", and 72".
I have the same lighting for almost a year.

 

You can do a DIY MH light pretty cheap. If I can you can I ordered a MH "grow" light with a 250watt magnetic ballest. Then I made a reflector for it out of the highly reflective sheet-metal it came with to make more of a hanging pendant. then I covered the whole thing with an expensive lamp shade. It looked like a nice hanging lamp hovering over my 35 gallon hex. Here is a picture of the finished product.. Don't judge I was a newbee

To answer the original post the MH from lowes is not an option.



Heidi

 

Bloodkip, thanks. Yea I am on a budget and this tank keeps taking in money. The halides you provided look good. I was just thinking 'what about L.E.D.s'. I have a percula in the tank already and was looking for a bta to add. My last one didn't make it so I was thinking about upgrading the lighting.
Heidi, the tank and the light looks good to me. I thought about a custom job but I really didn't have the time right now. Maybe soon though. Thanks for the post.

 

i work at home depot, those MH lights are around 2500k

 

I may soon be selling my MH setup. If your interested let me know and I will give you the details.

 

lol Heidi ...im not judging... ;D