New lighting Idea check out

[reef120]

I was wondering in Home Depot over the weekend and I came across the lighting section when i noticed a Halagen 350watt 11.5K bulb that will work in a standard Regent halagen canister. I then took the bulb to the outdoor lighting section and noticed that I can purchase a regent halagen light fixture and a 500watt 4K bulb for $9.99 and I then thought heck why not but this setup and purchase the 375watt 11.5K halagen bulb seperate. Why wont this setup work for a reeftank? The wattage is good the kevins are good and the color from a 11.5K should be pretty nice. We all know that the halagen is double ended like some of the other lights out there but why cant we use this. Or maybe there is a ballast we can find that will support that light but give you more stability??????

[Ltspd]

It would be worth a try. The problem with halogen has always been color and heat. Curious what a 11.5k bulb would look like over a tank.

What is the amprage draw on a 350w halogen bulb? (3 amps)

[afss]

Do you have sku numbers or model numbers? thanks
Scott

[billzie]

Just check the lengths of the socket holder and the new bulb, BTW many are using that Regent fix for diy HQI (150 & 250 w) pendant, mine will be up very soon. HTH, Bill.

[afss]

I am in canada, and have never seen an 11.5, that is why i am looking for the model number. so i can get the store to look for me to order it.
Thanks
Scott

[reef120]

afss & all

Well everyone I did the test I purchased 2 of the 350watt 11.5K halagen bulbs and inserted them in 2 halagen casings I had sitting around. I powered off my 3- Iwasaki 250 watt MH and placed both of these halagen fixtures directly above my tank where my mh are and fired them up... They looked horrible the output (PAR) was aweful heck a flashlight produced more light. Well sorry to raise such a fuss about my idea but it was worth a try.

[newreefman1]

somethings wrong. COlor may have sucked but as far as output, a 350 watt halogen is plenty bright. I have a 150 watt halogen in a work light and when I put it up to my sump(20 gallon) it lights the thing up brighter than a x mas tree
2 350 watts should be super bright. Maybe just ugly and not good for corals.

Halogens do get very hot too.
J

[reef120]

newreefman1

Yes you are right a 350 watt halagen is pretty bright as a shop light but doesnt have the PAR to penatrate through water depths. I have a 125gallon tank and only tested 2 of the 350watters and out just looking at the light was very bright but once lit over my tank the light was very dence and was worst then a flashlight (hehe). You may of did the dest over a 20 gallon which is not a deep as a bigger tank so the light may work in a more shallow area or smaller reef tanks but then you have heat problems.