Advice on replacing 175 W Metal Halide bulbs

[raincheck]

Hi,
I need to replace the bulbs on my 175 W Halides. I have two over a 58 gallon planted aquarium with Blue Diamonds, Im just now starting to gather parts for Co2 system.

Im looking for any advice as to brand but especially required spectrum for planted tanks.
Thanks,
Tom

[ChloroPhil]

www.hellolights.com is a good source for all aquarium related lighting issues.

I STRONGLY suggest you hold off on the lighting until you get your CO2 system up and running. That much light with no CO2 will do nothing but grow algae. You might also think about using only one bulb on that aquarium. Two is going to be an awful lot and you'll need to stay right on top of things or else your system will crash and grow algae really well. :)

The best degrees Kelvin (K) ratings for plants are between 5300K and 6700K.

Best,
Phil

[ddaquaria]

The best degrees Kelvin (K) ratings for plants are between 5300K and 6700K.


I agree.

You can also check out hamiltontechnology.com
METAL HALIDE 175W 6.5K BULB $58.95
METAL HALIDE 175W 5.5K BULB $45.95

or championlighting.com
175w 5500k MH Lamp$49.90
175w 6500k Coralife MH Lamp $89.90

Out of the 5 MHs that I have, I think I have only replaced 1 or 2 bulbs so far. I have add 4 of these since 1998.

[ChloroPhil]

OMG, Lazarus rises....

It's good to have you here Donald. Would you post up some pics of your tanks for us to drool over?

BTW, are you going to be at AGA this year?

Best,
Phil Edwards

[ddaquaria]

Glad to be here - I actually lurk here a lot.

I hope to see you at AGA this year as well.

Currently the discus tanks is under construction. I took them out of the altum/scalare tank and put them back into their own home. The angels were too much of a hog for the discus to handle and not eating as well as I wanted them to eat.

I plan to enter my angel tank this year.

[ddaquaria]

Raincheck, I have been thinking about your question a lot and posted somehting similar in another forum.

Most people recommend 5300-6700K, but my quest which derives from this is which bulb in this range. Iwasaki got a good write up here (http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/dec/features/2/default.asp), but I do not know if these are the same bulbs in teh 175W.

I hope you get more answers here, since i will be following closely. :)

[ChloroPhil]

Energy Savers Unlimited, the marketer/maker of Coralife brand lights sells a 6500K 175W MH bulb if you're interested.

Best,
Phil