flamewrasse03
Member
I've been looking into gettin a set of these babies for some time but they're so pricey! I was just wondering what drives the price up on them so much? Thanks :joy:
Why are Metal Halides so Expensive?
- Thread starter flamewrasse03
- Start date
flamewrasse03
Member
Thanks for the idea, I've got an 80 gallon reef that I just have a couple of strip lights with fluorescents in. About 75 lbs of liverock but I figured I should prolly add coral and other inverts after I'm sure they'll be healthy with good lighting. Don't want to pay a lot of money for such a cheap mistake to fix. Plus I hear metal halides bring out color and health very well.
reefnut
Active Member
If you think about it MH are not really all that expensive. A bulbs costs around 100+- and needs changed around every 12-mo (+- depending on the bulb and ballast). Now think of how many PC or VHO bulbs are needed to create the same amount of light a MH does, relatively speaking. Most VHOs need replacing every 6-mo and PC ever 12-mo (+- depending on the bulb and ballast).
Here's my scenario- Assuming VHOs at 20$ and MH at 100$. It would take 10 110w VHOs to almost match the wattage I currently have (not that wattage matters but as an example). I change my current VHOs every 6-mo... That would be around 400$ a year in VHO bulbs to replace 10 VHOs every 6-mo. Currently as said, my 2- VHOs are replaced every 6-mo and MH every 12-mo for a cost of around 280$ a year.
Even if the VHOs were only replaced once a year that would still be 200$ compared to 240$ so a big savings of 40$...
With PC, assuming a 96w costs around 40$ and it would take 11 PC... Replacing them once a year would be 440$.
Here's my scenario- Assuming VHOs at 20$ and MH at 100$. It would take 10 110w VHOs to almost match the wattage I currently have (not that wattage matters but as an example). I change my current VHOs every 6-mo... That would be around 400$ a year in VHO bulbs to replace 10 VHOs every 6-mo. Currently as said, my 2- VHOs are replaced every 6-mo and MH every 12-mo for a cost of around 280$ a year.
Even if the VHOs were only replaced once a year that would still be 200$ compared to 240$ so a big savings of 40$...
With PC, assuming a 96w costs around 40$ and it would take 11 PC... Replacing them once a year would be 440$.
fishman830
Active Member
hehe got mine for 30 bucks
flamewrasse03
Member
...........I hate you
hirock
Member
Originally posted by Kipass4130
and on top of that... you get a lot more high quality light!!!!
That is known as more PAR for the buck. Nothing that I have found equals the intensity a single MH lamp can produce. The photons produced from a single pin point source can rival, if not surpass, multiple banks of CF or VHO lighting. With an electronic ballast installed, you save more $$$ when it comes time to pay the electric company. If your going to do a D.I.Y. project, check this link for the reflector. Very reasonable
http://www.hellolights.com/
zanemoseley
Active Member
Originally posted by Fishman830
hehe got mine for 30 bucks
well I got ya beat , I got 2 brand new 250w M58 ballasts free from my mom's work that manufactures high voltage transformers and other such items
fishman830
Active Member
oh, i got everything for 30
fishman830
Active Member
ohh you got 250 watts mi nes only 175