Metal Halide Combo Options

[Tanan]

Hi
I have decided to buy a metal halide 70 or 150W for my 20 G.
The problem is that the K/CRI index is like this
Osram HQI(DE) MH Daylight bulb=5200K(92 CRI)http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...v47gFuSfexsT5g
Some other HQI (DE) MH 6400K
Osram HQI DE MH 20000K
So what to choose?
6400 K MH with 40 W PC Actinic
5200 K MH with 40 W PC Actinic
20000K MH with 6500K 30 W PC??
I have n in-tank Algal Scrubber.Tank Dimensions are 24 L x 18H x 12W
Scrubber takes 4 inches of width and area under is completely shadowed.
So now I have to put lights in 8 inch area which leaves a very little room and higher chances of electric shots because of water splashes.I ll be placing Halide atleast 10" away from the water surface.if I go for a 20000K then scrubber ll have its own 5200-6400K PC bulb which to some extent ll light tank too.
And if I go for 5200-6400K MH then I have to supplement the tank with actinic and MH ll be on for like 10-12 hrs.(to run scrubber!)
P.S please please just dont post that why I wont order online or any other reef brand.Seriously if it was possible I would do so.But international shipping companies cost a heck lot for shipping.

[charlie]

If you are gonna put a halide on there go with the 20K bulb, I think you will like the color quite a bit more. JMHO

[Ninong]

Hi Tanan,

So what to choose?
6400 K MH with 40 W PC Actinic
5200 K MH with 40 W PC Actinic
20000K MH with 6500K 30 W PC??

I would choose the 150w Osram 20,000K HQI DE lamp. You may not need to supplement it with anything.

I have n in-tank Algal Scrubber.Tank Dimensions are 24 L x 18H x 12W
Scrubber takes 4 inches of width and area under is completely shadowed.
So now I have to put lights in 8 inch area which leaves a very little room and higher chances of electric shots because of water splashes.

You can't operate a double-ended metal halide lamp without a UV shield, which also acts as a splash guard. A double-ended metal halide lamp would do very serious harm to all of the inhabitants (fish, corals, etc.) of your tank if you tried to run it without a UV shield (usually just a 3/16" thick pane of tempered glass). All fixtures for DE metal halide lamps come with such UV shields. If you are doing this yourself, you will have to include a UV shield. This is NOT an option. It's an absolute necessity.

Also, all electrical equipment MUST be plugged into GFCI electrical outlets. You can purchase inexpensive adapters that will convert a standard electrical outlet into a GFCI outlet. This cuts the power within one or two milliseconds if a ground is detected, thus protecting you from accidental electric shocks.