[new2salt2]

has anyone looked into the MH lights used in plant nurseries? i found a few 250W HM lights for around $150 including balast and fixtures. anyone try this before?

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by new2salt2

has anyone looked into the MH lights used in plant nurseries? i found a few 250W HM lights for around $150 including balast and fixtures. anyone try this before?

The lamps used for horticulture are specific to horticulture and not ideal for reef tanks. Lamps specifically for vegetative growth could possibly be used because those are usually either 5200K or 6500K but those specifically for flowering are an even lower Kelvin color temperature.

Iwasaki, for instance, makes one 250w 6500K "Horitlux" lamp specifically for vegetative growth and it has a fairly high CRI of 90 but the 5200K lamps have a CRI of 75. Besides, Iwasaki make a 250w 6500K lamp specifically for reef tanks and it would be a better choice than their 250w 6500K Hortilux lamp.

Some people still use Iwasaki 6500K aquarium metal halide lamps but most people have switched to 10,000K or higher Kelvin color temperatures in the past few years.

If the ballast that came with your horticultural fixtures is compatible you might be able to switch the lamps to something more appropriate for a reef tank. What ballast do you have and what lamps do you have?

[new2salt2]

i dont have any yet. was just looking into the cheap option. hoping others have tried and could give advice

[acropora]

Ninong has hit the nail on the head with his response. You will find that the cheaper cost is due to the lower kelvin rating of the bulb included in the package.This will be more likely to cause excessive algae problems and be less useful to your corals.

[new2salt2]

what if a higher kelvin rated bulb were purchased with the balast included with the grow light? Or, in my case, used along with PC 50/50 lighting? same problems?

[acropora]

Originally Posted by new2salt2

what if a higher kelvin rated bulb were purchased with the balast included with the grow light? Or, in my case, used along with PC 50/50 lighting? same problems?

You will have to make sure that the ballast you are considering will fire up the bulb you desire. Is it for Mercury Vapor bulbs? Check with the manufacturer to see what bulbs it will run.My personal choice is an electronic ballast which will properly fire up most all bulb choices and run them at peak efficiency ,providing longer bulb life and maximum output.