Halide Ballast
Question about metal halide for my reef?
I am looking at this light but I currently have compact flourescent and don't know much about halide besides they make the water look rippley and don't conduct as much heat.
Would this just sit on top of my tank hood?
Is this all I would need + a bulb?
Do the same rules of 2-3 watts per gallon apply to metal halide lighting too?
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Metal Halides are more intense than Compact Fluorescent bulbs, so they actually produce more heat, and use more energy. Because of the added heat, they cause more evaporation in your tank, and may raise your aquarium's temperature a few degrees, especially if you don't have a chiller.
If you buy the ballast, you will also have to buy a fixture and bulbs. Basically, the bulb will screw into the fixture, and the fixture will connect to the ballast, which provides the electricity for the light setup. This will require some electrical work.
Most people mount Metal Halides in their hood, or they suspend them from the ceiling. Since the bulbs get very hot, they are usually suspended at least 6 inches above the surface of the water.
The 2-3 watt per gallon rule is good for sustaining most photosynthetic creatures requiring low to moderate light. Some corals and anemones may require more light though, even with Metal Halides.
If you want to upgrade your lighting, without breaking the bank, you may want to look into a High Output (HO) T-5 fixture like the Nova Extreme. This fixture will allow you to keep a variety of corals and inverts, and is relatively less expensive. If you want Metal Halides, I would recommend a pre-assembled Metal Halide fixture (the Outer Orbit Pro Series are great), unless you are comfortable performing the electrical work yourself. Metal Halides are the best type of reef lighting, in my opinion, but they do have their disadvantages.
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Home Made Super Cheap Metal Halide Ballast and Igniter
