Lighting & Electrical » Metal Halides

Reef Aquariums; Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting General Info

If you have a reef aquarium, you should know how to use metal halide aquarium lighting. If you have coral in your aquarium, choose a metal halide lighting system that meets your needs. Generally, the metal halide lamp color temperature varies according to the bulb, and you should have 1 bulb for every 2 feet of tank length.

American and European lighting systems have different ballast compatibility functions. American bulbs have probe starts built into the bulb and European bulbs must be started with a switch. In the long run, European bulbs last longer. An electronic switch is usually the best solution, because it runs cooler and uses less electricity, and helps your bulbs last longer.

For maximum benefit to your coral, you should be running your metal halide bulbs 8-12 hours a day, depending upon whether or not you're using supplemental lighting, and the wattage of your bulbs. Metal halide aquarium lighting usually comes in 70 and 150 watts, with a 250 watt available (for use with specialized ballast).

When you purchase metal halide bulbs, be aware that it's normal for them to flicker during their first 100 hours of use. It's called a breaking in period, and flickering metal halide bulbs are not a cause for concern. If, after the first hundred hours, they continue to flicker, you could have an incompatibility issue, and should make sure that the codes on your ballast and bulbs match.

Your metal halide bulbs should last up to 12 months with normal use. Remember that using an electronic (as opposed to a standard magnetic) ballast will allow you to use any variety of bulb you want, and will help the bulbs last longer. Even though electronic metal halide aquarium lighting systems cost more than magnetic systems, they are worth the investment.