lighting help please

ariel8675 · 01/06/2007, 03:23 AM

I recentally purchased a 125 watt MBF/U Mercury pendant light for my 90 gallon reef tank. The sales man at the fish store said it was a halide now talking with people on here I found out that they don't make 125 watt halides then I discover what I really have a MBF/U Mercury. I have a seperate balast 125 watt can I run a 150 watt halide bulb in it or did I just get burned. Also can I use this light on my tank??

alizarin · 01/06/2007, 08:52 AM

I've never heard of anyone being able to use mercury lights on a reef - I think the color spectrum is limited to a few spikes that neither look good nor are they good for photosynthesis in coral. Sounds like fraud or more a uninformed seller - definitely get your money back.

If you can't get your money back you might be able to modify the fixture to hold a 150w bulb, I've seen people modify halogen fixtures that way. If you can find the model number on the ballast you can look up online to see if it can power halides in addition to mercury lights.

01/06/2007, 03:23 AM	#1
ariel8675 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 31	lighting help please I recentally purchased a 125 watt MBF/U Mercury pendant light for my 90 gallon reef tank. The sales man at the fish store said it was a halide now talking with people on here I found out that they don't make 125 watt halides then I discover what I really have a MBF/U Mercury. I have a seperate balast 125 watt can I run a 150 watt halide bulb in it or did I just get burned. Also can I use this light on my tank??

01/06/2007, 08:52 AM	#2
alizarin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 869	I've never heard of anyone being able to use mercury lights on a reef - I think the color spectrum is limited to a few spikes that neither look good nor are they good for photosynthesis in coral. Sounds like fraud or more a uninformed seller - definitely get your money back. If you can't get your money back you might be able to modify the fixture to hold a 150w bulb, I've seen people modify halogen fixtures that way. If you can find the model number on the ballast you can look up online to see if it can power halides in addition to mercury lights.