MH light

[cajun439]

I have a T5, well lets say it is an off brand T5. Uses same bulbs no indiv refelctors.
I need a little more Watts. Soft coral doing good. Bubble tip so so.
Any way back to the point. I was at PETLAND and saw the critter lights. They have a 5.5" 8" and 10" MH with round reflector. It can Hold 100 Watt MH Bulb.
I was think of putting this directly over the Bubble Tip.
Will this delevier the extra watts i need?
any ideas.
basicaly it would cost 30 bucks or so...

 

[scsinet]

There is NO way a metal halide fixture is $30. Even online you can't get a lamp alone for that price. Plus, 100w halide, though they exist, are virtually unheard of in the aquarium industry. I don't think any manufacturers make 100w halide lamps in the wavelengths that are useful for an aquarium. They are basically made for general space lighting.
What I think you are seeing is the reflector type floodlights for lighting reptile cages and the like, if I recall from the last time I was at Petland that's what the critter lights are.
I don't even think Petland sells halide systems.
The reflector type floodlights aren't suitable for lighting photosynthetic animals.
If you wanted to do this, and use a halide for it, you'll need a fixture that comes with a ballast. They are called Pendant fixtures. Generally a complete setup will run you about $250-$350. I wouldn't do this anyway as anemones can move around, and will often move to where the light isn't right for them (after all, in the wild, the sun shines everywhere, so they don't know to stay under your light). It's best to just light the entire tank suitably if you want to keep them.
How big is your tank, and what types/wattages of lamps are in your lighting system? How old are the lamps?

 

[cajun439]

It is a 75 gallon, i am pushing3 85 watt 10k bulbs and 1 actic plus the led nights.
MY LFS said it woudl be enough for the nems, maybe i just need new bulbs. I had one hugh one it had slit into 2 when i got it home from the LFS. two pieces 2" stalk 4' Head.
They have latched on a rock and dont move but seem to be shrinking over time. I have had them for ~2 years. One is a tan color and one has turned kind of redish. Again both were one nem.. levels are all good I keep the tank at 1.23 spec. I was told to keep it on the upper end. Got a 2 clowns both host. Otehr carious fish Damsiels and a puffer and a yellow tang.
I saw the Light and yes it was a reptile light and woundered if a little extra light would help. And they do make those 100watt halogens, "Daylight" they run 20 bucks and fit into a indivual reflectors. Bring out natural colors of reptiles.
So was thinking good daylight for reptiles maybe it would work on nems..
WEll if anyone else has any thoughts please feel free. I was thinking of trying it if no one has. Maybe we could get a cheaper way to go
also i will look into new bulbs it has been a while since i replaced them

 

[cajun439]

oh one more thing
The Bulbs run in
50 75 and 100 watt.

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by Cajun439
http:///forum/post/2883370
oh one more thing
The Bulbs run in
50 75 and 100 watt.
Yeah those are incandescent wattages. Halides come in 70, 100, 150, 250, and 400 watts, some oddball wattages notwithstanding.
Lots of people mix up halogen lamps and halide lamps, but they are entirely different lighting technologies. Halogen lamps won't work, sorry.
If there was one thing I could get LFS stores to stop saying, it's that a given light will work with [insert name of high-lighting-requirement livestock here]. They frequently will recommend one of their lights because they either don't sell a better, more suitable one, or will recommend a light that is unsuitable because you don't want to spend what the right light costs, and they'd rather make a sale than tell you you can't do it, the livestock be damned. It's a disgusting practice.
I want to clarify your lamps and wattages. There is no PC, VHO, or T5 lamp that I am aware of that comes in 85w sizes. Are you sure it's 85w and T5? I want to make sure we have the right information. I'm assuming it's a standard 75g, so the lamps would be 4' long. If the lamps are 4' T5s, they are probably 54w. Assuming that, there are two things you may consider, besides the lamp changing you are already considering.
First, you can get clip on individual reflectors that clip onto the lamp. They won't be as good as a factory built system, but they should offer a good improvement over what you have.
Second, you may consider replacing all four lamps with the same type. Actinic light isn't very useful for growth, so you are forfeiting 25% of your fixture's capabilities for the sake of that actinic light. Instead, consider a mixed lamp such as the Giesemann AquaBlue lamp, which should look pretty good without any supplemental actinic. Put 4 of those in, and that will help you get a lot more light out of your fixture.