MH pendant question

Drakken · 02-10-2004, 11:20 PM

OK, if you saw my other thread I was asking about lighting for my 54 gal corner tank. From the suggestions there I decided on 175 watt MH pendant.

So my questions are:

What is better 5500K or 6500K?

Is a Coralife bulb better than a no name (Coralife bulb upgrades are about $60) on most sites.

How close to the glass can the fixture be mounted?

rumples riot · 02-11-2004, 12:46 AM

Metal Halides should be placed no closer to the top of the tank than one foot. The glass on the tank cover should not be in place as the metal halide will eventually crack the glass with the heat.

I would think that the use of a coral life bulb would not be warranted because of the light spectrum. Coral life bulbs are designed for marine tanks with coral growing in them. What limited knowledge I do have would suggest that a bulb around 6500k would be ideal for your purposes, however I would check with your retailer (assuming this is a LFS) and they should give you the right advice.

Best of luck.

Paul

Rex Grigg · 02-11-2004, 12:52 AM

rumples,

Coralife is a BRAND name.

rumples riot · 02-11-2004, 01:12 AM

Sorry Rex, here in Oz it is a type of bulb too. But should have thought of this. Thanks for the heads up.

Paul

02-11-2004, 12:46 AM	#2
rumples riot Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Blackwood South Australia Posts: 644	Metal Halides should be placed no closer to the top of the tank than one foot. The glass on the tank cover should not be in place as the metal halide will eventually crack the glass with the heat. I would think that the use of a coral life bulb would not be warranted because of the light spectrum. Coral life bulbs are designed for marine tanks with coral growing in them. What limited knowledge I do have would suggest that a bulb around 6500k would be ideal for your purposes, however I would check with your retailer (assuming this is a LFS) and they should give you the right advice. Best of luck. Paul __________________ Eheim Pimp Club member #3: Scribe to the Eheim Pimp Club 90 gallon, CO2 dupla injection, Dupla substrate heating, Dupla Laterite with iron stone substrate, Aquastarlight future 3 x 150 metal Halides, Eheim 2026 pro2's and heavily planted with Discus

02-11-2004, 01:12 AM	#4
rumples riot Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Blackwood South Australia Posts: 644	Sorry Rex, here in Oz it is a type of bulb too. But should have thought of this. Thanks for the heads up. Paul __________________ Eheim Pimp Club member #3: Scribe to the Eheim Pimp Club 90 gallon, CO2 dupla injection, Dupla substrate heating, Dupla Laterite with iron stone substrate, Aquastarlight future 3 x 150 metal Halides, Eheim 2026 pro2's and heavily planted with Discus

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
lighting question	CarolC	DIY	5	08-27-2004 02:53 PM
Ehiem and CO2 Question	jahysun	Equipment	19	08-16-2004 11:53 PM
Question with eggcrate method	aychamo	Riparium/Terrarium/Vivarium	2	08-16-2004 02:32 AM
Milwaukee sm101 question	jart	Equipment	2	07-31-2004 02:38 AM
Question about Excell	wenhamjj	General Planted Tank Discussion	8	05-25-2004 12:37 PM

02-10-2004, 11:20 PM	#1
Drakken Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 63	OK, if you saw my other thread I was asking about lighting for my 54 gal corner tank. From the suggestions there I decided on 175 watt MH pendant. So my questions are: What is better 5500K or 6500K? Is a Coralife bulb better than a no name (Coralife bulb upgrades are about $60) on most sites. How close to the glass can the fixture be mounted?

02-11-2004, 12:52 AM	#3
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	rumples, Coralife is a BRAND name.