lighting ? metal halides same as halogen?

[rover61]

I am new to the board and a novice in this hobby. I am wanting to upgrade my lighting. Problem is, that I live in Thailand and supplies are limited. Halogen lights are available but not the metal halides. Are they the same or can I use halogen if that is all that is available?
Regular floresent (with 20W aquarium tubes) is about all that's available here. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

 

[fshhub]

not sure about shipping, but if it isn't too deadly, maybe MO from somewhere online, like swf(here)
I don't believe halogen is the same, they are different elements, as for interchangeable, (NOT SURE BUT) I doubt it otherwise many others would have by now
HTH and good luck

 

[daluminum]

possible for you to use natural sunlight?? my lfs does not use an AC or heater (even in south texas!!) and they have the front door open 365.. so they have a 200show with no lights whatsoever. Not a single bulb. Ive never tried it but its worth some research.

 

[twoods71]

No MH and halogen are not the same. If they made halogen bulbs in the proper light spectrum they would probably work fine but unfortuantly the only halogen bulbs I know of are way off in spectrum.

 

[garyfla]

Hi
Thailand huh? I'll bet you don't lack for sunlight or heat? Halides produce a lot of heat and are expensive to operaate.Why don't you try no artificial light suggestion.You
shouldn't be concerned with low temps and you
can always supplement with some CF for duration if that's a problem Select a location where you can block the sunlight if
you get too much.Check out exporters in your area and see what they do.
I'm going to try one in my greenhouse where i get lots of natural sunlight.I live in south florida and have a sub-tropical climate. Never tried marine but I have a FW pool and 2 aquariums in there and there my best planted tanks. There is a definite problem with heat gain in the summer but that would be true with halides also Let me know what you decide,we have similar problems
Gary fla