Aquarium Lighting Questions - FAQs Page 1

There are many things to consider when choosing lighting for your aquarium. Lighting a reef tank can be very subjective, with light recommendations varying according to personal taste, intended livestock and affordability. Reef tanks need a substantial amount of light and the color spectrum is very important. Metal Halides and T5 HO Fluorescents are available in the correct color spectrums for coral growth from 6500K (daylight) to 20,000K (blue). So whether you choose T5 HO Fluorescents or Metal Halides your reef aquarium will thrive.

Metal Halide bulbs are rated in Kelvins. The 'K' stands for Kelvin (a measurement of temperature), and is a reference to what we perceive when we look at a heated black body (a star is a common example). The K rating is a generalized form of addressing the color output of a Light Bulb. Color Temperature is not how hot the lamp is. Color temperature is the relative whiteness of a piece of tungsten steel heated to that temperature in degrees Kelvin. 10,000K lamps have a high color temperature from a single point source which simulates the appearance of sunlight near the equator in ocean depths of approximately 5 meters. 14,000K and 20,000K+ lamps simulate water color at deeper depths and with differing wavelength spikes. Coral fluorescence will be excited in some species under the enhanced blue spectrum of the 14K and 20KK lamps. The superior spectral balance of the Ushio Metal Halide lamps are ideal for lighting and environmental conditions for reef aquariums. This includes fish, coral, invertebrates, marine fauna and flora. Always choose a bulb with a kelvin rating that is at least 6500K for reef or planted aquariums. Kelvin ratings that are lower that this are going to emit a yellow light that is not visually appealing.

CRI is an internationally accepted system to measure the capability of a light source to render color naturally. The closer the number is to 100 the closer that light source is rendering color like natural daylight. Fish, coral and plant life will appear much more true to life under higher CRI light sources. The higher the CRI the more natural and vibrant the colors will look. A bulb with a CRI of 85 or higher is excellent being that the sun has a CRI of 100. Eye Hortilux makes 90 - 92 CRI bulbs such as the 400W Eye Hortilux Blue 90CRI and 1000W Eye Hortilux Blue 92CRI that are excellent for both planted and reef aquariums. Standard Metal Halide bulbs have a CRI of about 70, so only 70% of colors will be rendered correctly.

We carry only the highest quality metal halide lamps on the market from many different manufacturers such as the German made Ushio & Radium brands and Eye Hortilux ensuring the lamp has been tested, and is represented accurately as color temperature.

Fish only and freshwater plant aquariums require far less light than reef aquariums. Lighting that duplicates natural sunlight such as 6500K Metal Halides or T5 Fluorescents is sufficient for most freshwater aquariums. The chart below compares the light output of Metal Halides and T5 HO fluorescents.

Metal Halide lighting is a special type of lighting called HID (High Intensity Discharge) lighting, that is much more intense than any other lamp available. Metal Halide has traditionally become the number one choice for experienced reef keeping aquarist for a number of reasons. First and foremost is the energy efficiency. HID Lighting does a much better job at converting electricity into light available for photosynthesis. Metal halide lamps generate a large amount of heat and also emit ultraviolet radiation which is harmful to the eyes and skin. For this reason, Metal Halide discharge lamps require special handling and care to ensure safe and proper usage. Metal halide lamps produce the most concentrated, most intense light of any type of
artificial lighting. They are ideally suited for deep freshwater planted aquariums and saltwater reef aquariums containing light-loving corals such as SPS (small polyped stony) and LPS (large polyped stony) corals and invertebrates including Tridacna clams and others. Metal Halide lighting produces the desirable effect called the "glitter or shimmer effect," that replicates the effect of surface waves reflecting on a reef in a natural environment. This means happier tanks, faster growth and better coloration. Metal Halide is chosen above all else for its high output and it visually stunning spectrum.

A complete metal halide aquarium light kit consists of a ballast, reflector and light bulb (pictured above). You can purchase either complete aquarium light systems that include everything you need or select your ballast, reflector and bulb separately. We carry a wide selection of Metal Halide ballasts, Reflectors and Lamps to accommodate all size tanks, from the smallest tanks, to the largest public aquarium displays.

Mogul base screw in Metal Halide bulbs for Aquarium use come in a variety of color spectrum from 10K to 20K (the bluest) and wattages from 250W - 1000W. German made (Ushio) metal halides have an excellent reputation for producing the best lighting effects for reef aquariums. Mogul base Metal Halides offer more versatility than Double Ended HQIs as they can be used in a variety of reflector types and and various ballast types.

HQI Double Ended Metal Halide bulbs have been used in Europe for many years have gained popularity in the U.S. among aquarium hobbyists in the last several years. Double Ended MH HQI bulbs offer many of the same features as standard mogul base Metal Halide bulbs but are designed differently. These bulbs are much smaller than mogul base screw in Metal Halides and are double ended. Benefits of using HQI Metal Halide bulbs are that they offer a more clean color spectrum, are more efficient and last longer than standard metal halide lamps. We carry German made Ushio & Radium double ended HQIs in 10K, 14K and 20K in 150W and 250W. HQI bulbs can ONLY be run on Metal Halide ballasts that are designed for HQI bulbs and will be designated as HQI ballasts. In addition the Galaxy Electronic ballasts that we carry will run HQI bulbs. Note that the bulb and ballast wattage must match. HQI bulbs can only be used in reflectors designed for HQI bulbs as the socket for these bulbs is different than standard MH sockets. We carry Reflectors designed for both 150W & 250W HQI bulbs. Tempered UV protected glass must be used in HQI reflectors to protect the aquarium's corals or plants from harmful UV rays emitted from the HQI bulbs. All of the HQI Reflectors that we carry come with UV protected glass. We also carry complete 250W HQI Aquarium Lighting Kits that include everything you need: HQI Ballast, Reflector and choice of 250W HQI Bulb; 10K, 14K or 20K HQI. We also carry a Dual 250W MH HQI Aquarium Light Kit that includes two 250W HQI ballasts in one enclosure and includes two 250W HQI Reflectors and your choice of two HQI bulbs. Click here for complete HQI aquarium systems.

Download Ushio's Aquarium Lamp/Bulb Specifications Here

A Pulse-start metal halide ballast provides a higher starting voltage and igniter designed specifically to ignite pulse-start lamps/lights bulbs that are usually German made. The igniter starts the lamp and the ballasts' core and coil operates the lamp, allowing for optimization of both lamp and ballast performance. Pulse start ballasts are needed to ignite most German Metal Halide bulbs. Each Aquarium Light bulb will indicate on it's product page whether a Pulse Start Ballast is needed either in the product description or name which would be listed as "PS" or Pulse Start. Standard magnetic Metal Halide ballasts will not properly ignite pulse start light bulbs. We carry Sunlight Supply's line of Blue Wave Pulse Start Metal Halide Ballasts that are available in 400W, 1000W, Dual 400W, However, the new Electronic Galaxy ballasts will also run Pulse Start MH Aquarium bulbs. Ushio makes a few Aquarium bulbs that will run on Standard Magnetic Metal Halide Lamps and will be marked with "CWA". This means these lamps can run on any of Sunlight Supply's Standard Magnetic ballasts found here: http://www.specialty-lights.com/plantgrow-ballasts-mh.html.

Electronic/Digital ballasts are a relatively new technology in the US. Frequency output to the lamp/bulb and energy conversion from electricity to usable light are the biggest differences between HID (MH & HPS) ballasts and electronic ballasts. Standard MH/HPS ballasts produce a frequency of 60 Hz. Electronic ballasts vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the frequency produced can be 400x that of standard Magnetic MH/HPS ballasts. Electronic ballasts also run cooler than standard Magnetic ballasts making electronic ballasts more energy efficient. You will not, however, save money on your electric bill by using electronic ballasts. The line of Galaxy Electronic ballast from Sunlight Supply can run many bulbs types including standard Metal Halide & HPS, Pulse Start Metal Halide (Aquarium Bulbs) and HQI double ended Metal Halides. The wattage of the ballast and bulb still must be the same. For example, you cannot run a 250W bulb on a 400W Electronic ballast. The Galaxy Electronic Ballasts are pictured left.

Frequency output to the lamp/bulb and energy conversion from electricity to usable light are the biggest differences between HID (MH & HPS) ballasts and electronic ballasts. Standard MH/HPS ballasts produce a frequency of 60 Hz. Electronic ballasts vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the frequency produced can be 400x that of standard Magnetic MH/HPS ballasts.

It is extremely critical to match the proper wattage ballast and type (ie, pulse start, HQI or standard magnetic) and the lamp's wattage. The bulbs wattage and ballast are designed together for optimal performance and safety. Failure to do so will cause improper lamp ignition, poor color and spectral performance, and short life and may cause the bulb to explode. Do not mix different type wattages of lamps and ballasts. To ensure the correct ballast is being used check ballast's ANSI code that is listed on the product page and make sure it matches the bulb/lamp's ansi code.

Metal Halide lamps produce a large amount of UV and have the potential to explode. Most mogul base Metal Halide lamps have an outer jacket that eliminates most of the UV rays. However, since Metal Halides have an inherent risk of exploding UL requires Metal Halide lamps to be enclosed or have some type of glass cover or shield. Double ended HQI lamps do not have a UV shield so they absolutely must have a glass shield to avoid injury from the UV rays emitted. Note, that our HQI reflectors include UV protected tempered glass.

A Remote ballast kit is a system where the Ballast or transformer is a separate unit from the reflector. These ballasts are extremely heavy and some models are made to be wall mounted while others can simply be placed on the floor. Most of the Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting systems we sell are complete lighting systems or kits that include several components needed for your Reef or Freshwater Aquarium. A complete remote ballast Aquarium light system would consist of a ballast, reflector, socket & cord and light bulb. The ballast (transformer) is needed to ignite the bulb. The reflector or hood is what is used to direct the light and usually has a reflective insert to provide greater light intensity. Many of the reflectors now come with the socket & cord pre-wired into the hood. The example to the left is item# AL400PS: 400W Blue Wave 1 Pulse Start MH Ballast with Reef Optix 1 pendant Reflector and 400W MH Bulb. So the components that would automatically be included in this system would be:

• 400 Watt HPS Sun System 1 Ballast
• Reef Optix 1 Horizontal Pendant Aquarium Lighting Reflector (optional glass is recommended but not included)
• Choice of 400W Pulse Start MH Bulb: 10K Ushio, 14K Ushio, 20K Ushio or 20K Radium
  
  

A Dual Metal Halide aquarium ballast is a ballast that can run two bulbs of the same wattage simultaneously. This DualBallast metal halide aquarium light systems have two pulse start ballasts in one enclosure. Each ballast runs a 400W (or 250W) depending on the model. So in this example to the left, a 400W Dual Pulse Start Pendant Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting Kit (item#AL800PS) would provide a total of 800 Watts. A Complete Dual Ballast Aquarium Kit would include:

• Dual 400W Metal Halide Ballast
• Two Reef Optix 1 Horizontal Pendant Aquarium Lighting Reflector (optional glass is recommended but not included)
• Choice of 2- 400W Pulse Start MH Bulbs: 10K Ushio, 14K Ushio, 20K Ushio or 20K Radium
  
  
  

Retrofit reflectors such as the Reef Optix 2 from Sunlight Supply (pictured left) easily installs into any Aquarium canopy with 4 small wood screws (included). The Reef Optix II Retrofit Aquarium Reflector from Sunlight Supply is made of 95% reflective aluminum. This reflector includes a 15ft. detachable lamp cord and mogul socket socket assembly. This retrofit reflector can also be purchased without the lamp cord and socket assembly making it compatible with other ballasts. We also offer complete Metal Halide Retrofit Kits that include everything you need including Reflector, Pulse Start Ballast and choice of German Metal Halide Aquarium bulb such as this one: 400W Metal Halide Retrofit Aquarium Light Kit; Item# AL400R.