metal halide bulb replacement?

[zach jay]

my cousin gave me his old 36in odyssea metal halide light for my 40 breeder. the bulb is pretty old and definitely needs to be changed. I looked at it and its a 150w double ended bulb. can I go to any website (marinedepot, hellolights, etc.) and pick out any bulb to put in there? and are there huge differences between ushio, xm, radium, etc.?

thanks in advance!

[dots]

Yes, there are performance and aesthic differences. Opinions vary, but allow me to recommend a replacement to try out:

14K Phoenix

It it reasonably priced, has good performance, and is a nice blue.

Give it a try, if you don't like it try another...most go through a couple until they find the one they like. This one has been just that for a lot of people.

[zach jay]

so as long as its 150w DE I should be fine? and thanks for the recommendation!

[dots]

There are different ballasts to consider sometimes with regards to bulb firing design. I don't think that is a concern with your case.

Here is a primer on the subject:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php

If you go up one level on that bulb link, you will find the other offerings from MD in that bulb type as well as other types.

While I am at it:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/ac/index.php

[zach jay]

thanks!

[dots]

[sedor]

Get a couple bulbs you think you might want to try and google the name of them and try and find some full tank shots using those particular bulbs. Its true that color is usually different in real life but it should give you some sort of an idea. For instance, usually 20K bulbs put out a very blue glow whereas phoenix is just a good mix. Personally I use phoenix 14k's and I have always been happy with them, but if I was replacing a 150WDE it might just be radiums. You just can't get them in 250WDE.