Hardware Store Halides

CodyH · 07/02/2006, 12:22 PM

After looking at all the LOA PC light threads, I traveled to Lowes and Walmart (not Home Depot yet) and did not find the fixture I wanted. Both had replacement bulbs or a smaller fixture, but I needed the higher wattage as a minimum.

Wel, I got to looking through Lowes and HD websites only to find metal halides for outdoor use (read: can be used near/over water) and at cheaper prices than a fixture specifically for aquariums.

I do not yet know how difficult the wiring work is, but they can all be mounted on posts/polls or hung from poles over aquariums. The site ratings from customers on some are fairly good, rating set-up to be quite easy.

Links:
http://hdsupply.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=10526
http://hdsupply.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=10526

The one I was aiming to use on the 10g with seagrass is 70w fixture.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...esc&lpage=none
PDF link: http://www.cooperlighting.com/specfi...H_325-1326.pdf

I'm approaching this with the sole goal of lighting a 10g seagrass/seahorse tank. If this lighting results in allowing coral growth from anyone who may try, please let us (& me) know.

Has anyone looked into these yet or used them (whether for outdoor or aquarium use)?

bertoni · 07/03/2006, 08:57 PM

Those bulbs usually have a very low CCT rating, so they're very red or yellow over a tank. That might not work so well for corals, but I suspect the seahorses and grasses will be fine. You might not like the color rendition, though.

Ti · 07/03/2006, 10:11 PM

I don't think those work for corals.

07/02/2006, 12:22 PM	#1
CodyH Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 55	Hardware Store Halides After looking at all the LOA PC light threads, I traveled to Lowes and Walmart (not Home Depot yet) and did not find the fixture I wanted. Both had replacement bulbs or a smaller fixture, but I needed the higher wattage as a minimum. Wel, I got to looking through Lowes and HD websites only to find metal halides for outdoor use (read: can be used near/over water) and at cheaper prices than a fixture specifically for aquariums. I do not yet know how difficult the wiring work is, but they can all be mounted on posts/polls or hung from poles over aquariums. The site ratings from customers on some are fairly good, rating set-up to be quite easy. Links: http://hdsupply.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=10526 http://hdsupply.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=10526 The one I was aiming to use on the 10g with seagrass is 70w fixture. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...esc&lpage=none PDF link: http://www.cooperlighting.com/specfi...H_325-1326.pdf I'm approaching this with the sole goal of lighting a 10g seagrass/seahorse tank. If this lighting results in allowing coral growth from anyone who may try, please let us (& me) know. Has anyone looked into these yet or used them (whether for outdoor or aquarium use)? Last edited by CodyH; 07/02/2006 at 12:35 PM.

07/03/2006, 08:57 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Those bulbs usually have a very low CCT rating, so they're very red or yellow over a tank. That might not work so well for corals, but I suspect the seahorses and grasses will be fine. You might not like the color rendition, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/03/2006, 10:11 PM	#3
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	I don't think those work for corals. __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.