Need some help with a lighting question..

[doug z]

I was just wondering what I would have to get IF I wanted to get something a little stronger and more penetrating than fluorescents for a hypothetical 2nd FW planted tank..

I was looking at metal halides at the big al's site, and was getting nowhere, fast..

I'd want something geared towards plants, not coral (6700-10K, max)..

Can anyone provide some links with some metal halide lighting options?

Thanks!

[cocoa_pleco]

if you want the quick fix, these work

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


just ask the guy for a different K bulb. for better quality MH youre looking at $250-$500

[doug z]

Yeah, just curious at this stage..

Let's say I wanted to do a show tank, without the distracting stuff at the top of the tank, like fluorescents...

Something hanging down from a pendant..

[gm72]

I was just wondering what I would have to get IF I wanted to get something a little stronger and more penetrating than fluorescents for a hypothetical 2nd FW planted tank..

I was looking at metal halides at the big al's site, and was getting nowhere, fast..

I'd want something geared towards plants, not coral (6700-10K, max)..

Can anyone provide some links with some metal halide lighting options?

Thanks!

Somewhat depends on the size of the tank you are looking at, Doug. What are you thinking about?

[doug z]

What are you thinking about?

Nothing more than 50g..

[PUNISHER VETTE]

lol i guess DIY is out of the question?...

[jman]

haha just learned somethin alil different

[doug z]

DIY is out of the question?

DIY metal halides?

Are there such things?

[PUNISHER VETTE]

DIY metal halides?

Are there such things?

sure they sell them at hardware stores. Most of them are meant to be mounted on the side of a house but i suppose you could wire up a plug for one. Pretty cheap too but i don't know if it'll work just something i was thinking of trying myself. I actually didn't see the metal halide housing but the ones i was thinking of hold a mercury filled gas or something. But i didn't know if you could switch bulbs or find the one that actually holds the metal halide.

150w-300w for $80 seemed like it would be worth trying.

[doug z]

Let me know how it works out.. LOL

[PUNISHER VETTE]

Something like this.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[doug z]

Hmm..

Yeah, it would take a bit of jury-rigging,, for sure..

[cocoa_pleco]

the best thing is to get a couple of MH, build a wood box as long and wide as the tank with no bottom (so the light can get to the tank), and have the MH in the box, it gives it a good look

maybe i can find a pic of what im talking about

[doug z]

That's a good idea..

So nobody has any good links for me for appropriate MH lights?