Lighting help PLEASE

[cyberlady]

Hi
I don't understand lights and ballast and bulbs. Need some smart people to help me out here.
I have these shop lights that I want to use for the reef aquarium.
They have these really awsome bulbs. What I need to know is if it is or can be use as Metal Halides.
Is the bulb suitable for a reef tank? Can I put a metal halide bulb in this ballast?
This is info I have on the light

Bulb #1 Bulb #2
General Electric this bulb is much bigger but does not say anything
Lucalox on the glass. It came out of a different fixure that
LU250 is still hanging.
89 USA

On The wireing Diagram:
High Pressure Sodium
400W - 250W
120V
Use optical assembly
cat no. BRAQ

On a plate inside:
Optical Assembly
Cat no. BRA
Use with ballast assembly
cat. no. series: LBXXXXXX

On the outside of the casing:
Volt 120 AMP 2.7
Hertz 60 Watt 250
Hight Pressure Sodium
U.L. listed for 55 degrees C. Ambient
Day Bright Lighting Division
Emerson Electgronic Co.

On a little tag on outside casing:
Non - PBC capaitors

I hope thats all you need to answer my ? If not ask me and I'll see what else I can come up with.

Here's the bulbs

bulb #1 bulb #2

[KG]

Diane, here are a couple of articles that should shed some light - no pun intended! The bottom link is to a DIY MH for ~$100. The bottom line is that you need to know what you want to keep and what is their lighting requirement before you buy them. Good luck!

http://www.aquarium-lighting-guide.c...lighting_guide

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...03/feature.htm

http://aquarium.union.rpi.edu/articles/DIY_MH.html

[wharyat]

Well bulb#1 is an HPS bulb, not the best for a reef; horrible coloration. The second bulb is either MH or MV, again, the color is visually unappealing; very yellow. It's best to pick up a new bulb made specailly for the reef; unless your just planning on something that won't be viewed, i.e. a frag tank.

Sounds like the ballast(s) you have are HPS ballasts, they will only work with HPS bulbs; DO NOT attempt to run MH bulbs with these ballasts. Another note, DO NOT run a lower wattage bulb on a higher wattage ballast, only run a bulb that coresponds to the ANSI rating on the ballast.


Overall, it would be best to pick up a new MH ballast along with a new MH bulb. If you are at all reluctant working with electricity, please buy a premade fixture, or have a professional install your lighting. These amperages can kill.

[cyberlady]

Thanks. Love the last link. I will be checking into this in the morning. Much to late now.
I plugged the 2nd bulb in and it is very clear. not yellow at all. Much to bright though.
I still don't understand HPS vs MH but that ok. I guess I would like to know if coral can grow well with HPS. I thought I would never get a MH but I really want to get more coral and know I need good lighting.