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- Thread starter dd
- Start date
robchuck
Active Member
Metal Halide (MH) is the most versitile type of lighting for corals. It's also the most difficult type of lighting to shop for.
A good way to educate yourself on this type of lighting is to read up on these topics:
-Retrofit kit
-Fully assembled MH (pendants)
-Types of ballasts (probe start, pulse start, HQI)
-Wattage (70W, 150W, 175W, 250W, 400W)
-Color temperature (K-rating, i.e. 10,000K, 20,000K etc.)
-PAR (Photosynthetic Available Radiation)
-Single ended bulbs versus double ended bulbs
And to answer your question on the least expensive type of lighting, that would have to be fluorescent (which limits the corals that can be kept).
A good way to educate yourself on this type of lighting is to read up on these topics:
-Retrofit kit
-Fully assembled MH (pendants)
-Types of ballasts (probe start, pulse start, HQI)
-Wattage (70W, 150W, 175W, 250W, 400W)
-Color temperature (K-rating, i.e. 10,000K, 20,000K etc.)
-PAR (Photosynthetic Available Radiation)
-Single ended bulbs versus double ended bulbs
And to answer your question on the least expensive type of lighting, that would have to be fluorescent (which limits the corals that can be kept).
dd
New Member
Thanks so much for your reply. All this sounds like Greek to me. I guess I should have done "some" research on setting up a saltwater tank before doing so, but I didn't. I am too impulsive and know better!! I like watching the fish and seeing what comes alive on the live rock but know I cannot go much further without the proper lighting. Thanks again!
robchuck
Active Member
Don't sweat it! I'm an impulsive person and I've learned more about this hobby by jumping head first into things than by any means of research.
Though, I wish someone would have urged me to start the hobby with halides, but I started out with fluorescents, and have spent way too much money along the way with VHO, PC, and now finally MH.
Though, I wish someone would have urged me to start the hobby with halides, but I started out with fluorescents, and have spent way too much money along the way with VHO, PC, and now finally MH.