Is this Metal Halide worth…

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

$45? And, can it be used for coral?

 

[KrisReef]

The light is probably ok but knowing the Kelvin (K=?) would help provide a better answer.

A lot of grow lights are 3000K and they look yellow. They probably would grow coral, and algae, but they look horrible without blue supplement and I wouldn't pay $5.00 for one myself.

Other common grow lights are 6K or 10K and those kelvin bulbs have a long history in reef tank MH use. Make sure you have an M58 Ballast to get the most light and life out of this bulb, but the Kelvin rating isn't visible on the packaging so I can't say I would spend $45.00 on this in a pinch. Otherwise I would spend $80. at BRS for a reef designed spectral output.

 

[nereefpat]

I am assuming it's a fixture or ballast and not a bulb. Although if it's a fixture, it may include a crappy bulb that you wouldn't want.

M58 would be mogul instead of a double ended.

It would probably be helpful to see the fixture/ballast, instead of just the box.

 

[Bpb]

That looks like either a ballast or a ballast/reflector combo. Use any 250 watt single ended reef bulb you like.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

That looks like either a ballast or a ballast/reflector combo. Use any 250 watt single ended reef bulb you like.

Sorry, I was showing the spec, I’ve asked for the kelvin. Here is another pic:

I didn’t find anything identical on Google.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

It will work fine but get a real reef bulb for it

 

[KrisReef]

The light fixture will grow coral but Single Ended 250W bulbs are getting harder to find since the world went crazy on LEDs.

Those are made for indoor growing of plants, and the fixture looks old and a bit rusty. Over saltwater it will suffer from salt spray.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

Halides are not dinosaurs , open your shipping to mrpore than brs lol. Hamilton ,coralvue, champion, premium, plenty of vendors still carry halides.

 

[CBonito]

Yes, it will work fine. Find yourself a nice 14k coralvue bulb and you'll be stylin. I miss Metal Halide.
It was brutal on the electric bill, but it just worked and worked. And I don't know about anyone else, but 45 bucks is a steal for a metal halide setup. You can get a bulb for under 100 bucks...150 bucks you have a metal halide setup.
Nothing to balk at.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

What is brutal on the electric bill? A 250 halid and a radion are not that different on power consumption. a 6 foot tank needs 3 180 watt leds or 3 250 halides. Not that much of a difference

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

yeah, I have 3 XR30s going, I’m amazed at how much heat those things put out… that heat isn’t cheap… if I get this thing all sorted out I’m going to track the usage for comparisons.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Thanks for all the insight. I pick it up Friday.

 

[nereefpat]

The ballast might be worth that. The reflector isn't worth much. If I were putting a MH system together, I would find some used reef stuff at a shop instead. Just my opinion.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

The ballast might be worth that. The reflector isn't worth much. If I were putting a MH system together, I would find some used reef stuff at a shop instead. Just my opinion.

In my spare time I could always cut and glue some glass mirror, lol.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Looks like the bulb is a 3200, you were spot on. I feel I can even get this cheaper.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Yup, that bulb is no bueno for coral. Keep in mind you will consume 4-5 times the energy of a comparable led fixture. You will also generate infinitely more heat. Metal halide grows coral infinitely well though, so just keep these things in mind when you mount it. Keep the top clean and dust free with plenty of ventilation as the housing will get hot.

 

[oreo54]

Looks like the bulb is a 3200, you were spot on. I feel I can even get this cheaper.

Bulb probably wasn't even calculated into price.
New bulb at best is $20. If used.. well 0
M58 magnetic ballast kits are like $60.

 

[oreo54]

Halides are not dinosaurs , open your shipping to mrpore than brs lol. Hamilton ,coralvue, champion, premium, plenty of vendors still carry halides.

Yea maybe someday they will be back in stock..

Phoenix Metal Halide 14K Double End Bulb

Provide light intensity for growth while bringing out the color of your fish and corals with the Phoenix HexArc Blue 14000K Double Ended Metal Halide bulb. Crisp white color with blue tint Great combination of color and PAR Works well with or without supplemental Actinic bulb Electronic, HQI or...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

250 Watt 14,000K Bulb

Aquarium Metal Halide bulb

hamiltontechnology.com

now Chinese bulbs on ebay..OK fine.
And hybrids..

MH 36" Metal Halide T5 Aquarium Light Reef Marine Coral 406W LED Leg 250W Bulb 19962630361 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MH 36" Metal Halide T5 Aquarium Light Reef Marine Coral 406W LED Leg 250W Bulb at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[PeterErc]

Halides are not dinosaurs , open your shipping to mrpore than brs lol. Hamilton ,coralvue, champion, premium, plenty of vendors still carry halides.

It’s about time you go shopping for bulbs and stop spreading mis information, we had this discussion in another thread.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

Yet I had over a dozen delivered this month. Phoenix sells their bulbs on Amazon. I use their 150 de 14 k bulbs They have them in stock now.