5500K Mh light

rossb · #1 11-03-2002, 08:02 PM

Does anyone have an opinion on 5500K Mh lights? I can get these for about 35 bucks US in a medium base (which I need). The 6500 and 10K and easily double that. This would be for a tanks with invertebrates and some fish.

Failing that does anybody have a mogul base Mh pendant only (I have a ballast)?

Bob I · #2 11-03-2002, 08:34 PM

I am assuming the bulb would be for our new fixture? Most of the literature states that midday lighting in the tropics is 5500K. In othere words you should be fine. If you can still access my website after the recent move, you will see pics with an old 5500K Coralife bulb. If you cannot get it let me know and I will send you some pics.
Bob

Canadian Man · #3 11-03-2002, 08:34 PM

5500k are ok. Bob should be agreeing with me that they are as well.
He has one and apparently used it for along time.
You will probably have to add quite alot of actinic's to make the color to your liking but it will work.

If you need a pendant reflector I have some extra but it's only the reflector and you would have to get a socket for it.

Canadian Man · #4 11-03-2002, 08:35 PM

Good timing Bob!
Same post time! 8)

reefburnaby · #5 11-03-2002, 08:56 PM

Hi,

5500K is fine as long as you don't mind the slight yellow/green tint. Also, I would check if the bulb has UV shielding -- not all domestic bulbs have this and they are designed to operate in an enclosure (i.e. outdoor applications).

A medium base MH bulb is not very common for the usually 175W and above lamps. They are usually used in the smaller wattages. So, I would check compatibility between the ballast and bulb before it is turned on (usually the ANSI code works).

- Victor.

Delphinus · #6 11-03-2002, 08:56 PM

Um ...... from what I was able to read about those solar system ballasts, they use some kind of proprietary bulb. It's not just any random 175W halide with a medium base. Nobody but Coralife has a product that dims halides -- this concerns me. (Icecap kind of does, but only a half-intensity output -- not a ramping dimming like these.) It's your risk of course, but, I urge caution before committing to anything. You could be risking exploding bulbs -- I've had a halide bulb explode in my tank and it cost me several pieces of livestock due to the UV burn

So please be absolutely, absolutely sure you know what you're doing!!! Check that the bulb you want to get can work on the ballast -- maybe send an email to Coralife and ask them.

Good luck!

rossb · #7 11-03-2002, 09:11 PM

I had considered the ramping nature of he ballastt. With the coralife ballast you can set the ramping to 0, so it should beclose to a normal ballast. Given the cost of saltwater gear, I was thinking on saving a bit of cash...

Bob I · #8 11-03-2002, 10:30 PM

I have not yet found a Coralife URL that takes me directly to Coralife. As to the Coralife 10,000K bulb that came with the fixture. I really like it. The color rendition is quite wonderful. Also my animals like it, so if I have to save up my change, and buy a bulb once a year, I am prepared. I have seen the bulb listed at Champion lighting for $89.00 US. I am going to shoot an email to Brian at Hellolights to see if he has access. If he does we can get AJ at Aquarium pros to get them for us.

Bob I · #9 11-03-2002, 10:33 PM

Quote:

I urge caution before committing to anything. You could be risking exploding bulbs -- I've had a halide bulb explode in my tank and it cost me several pieces of livestock due to the UV burn

There is a UV shield on the fixture.

rossb · #10 11-03-2002, 11:23 PM

89 buck is starting to sound OK. I have only found them for $119 USD. I think that the 10K is a good idea

The manufactures web site is here
http://www.esuweb.com/new_site/