Metal Halide Help!

[TriniStylez]

Im wondering about the differences between Metal Halides "made" for aquariums, flood lights or plant growing? Why are aquarium halides so much more expensive than other types?

 

[shag26272]

the bulbs are a different temperature which means they have a different color spectrum also most aquarium lights are made with more corrosive resistant materials,

 

[dc_909]

Less demand=higher prices.

 

[ServantSoldier]

less demand=higher prices? my economics teacher was an idiot!

 

[TriniStylez]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9783097#post9783097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shag26272
the bulbs are a different temperature which means they have a different color spectrum also most aquarium lights are made with more corrosive resistant materials,

What about the outdoor fixtures though? I am really just wondering why they are so much cheaper?

I know the bulbs are different but Im talking more just the fixtures and ballasts.

 

[shag26272]

that is true, they have to recoup money from R&D and fabrication, much cheaper if they were making more of them

 

[shag26272]

I use a ballast bought from a hydroponics place, its a standard M59 magnetic ballast same stuff

 

[seapug]

ballasts are all similar but the bulbs aren't and the fixtures/wiring may not be sealed properly for aquarium use (water plus electricity=problems). Most plant light bulbs are around 5-6000K so they will make your tank look like someone peed in it.

 

[TriniStylez]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9783913#post9783913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seapug
ballasts are all similar but the bulbs aren't and the fixtures/wiring may not be sealed properly for aquarium use (water plus electricity=problems). Most plant light bulbs are around 5-6000K so they will make your tank look like someone peed in it.

Hahaha. Yeah, I was still going to use aquarium bulbs, I just found the ballasts especially much, much cheaper...

 

[supertech3]

the color temperature replicates the depth of the light at a certain depth, the higher the kelvin # the deeper the bulb is supposed to be replicating sun penetration thus the higher the kelvin the bluer the bulb color