Will 500 watt hallogen floodlights work with actinics?

[marley]

My friend is starting a third tank at his house where he just wants to grow xenia and possibly some mushrooms to sell to local fish stores. He was thinking about hanging 1 or 2 500 watt hallogen flood lights from above with actinics. His tank is 40 gal. As far as the heat that will be generated, he plans on running one or two fans as well. Will this work?????

 

[big tuna]

from what i've read the wavelenght of light probably wouldn't be right to grow corals, cause if it was everyone would use them instead of spending hunderds of $$$ on light setups.

 

[keitho]

it may work, but the spectral light output of the halogens may be high in yellow and red light. yellow and red light can, in some instances, cause problems with nuisance algae. hope this helps...

 

[sonny]

This is really an equipment post, but... Halogen lights are not suited for any reef tank. The color spectrum is all wrong. The color temperature of halogen is 3200 k. It needs to be at least 5000 k in a reef, preferably much higher. You would have a fantastic tank full of hair algae after a short time. Don't waste your money on those lights.
Sonny

 

[ramey70]

Marc Wiess actually sells a 175 and 250 Watt floodlight for about $50 and $80 respectively. They are designed for reefs and are called Wiesslites and fit in regular light bulb fittings with no special ballast. Has anyone else heard of these?