We offer a wide variety of Metal Halide bulb choices to suit your aquarium lighting needs.
A Metal Halide Lamp is a high-intensity discharge light source in which the light is produced by the radiation from mercury, plus halides of metals such as sodium, scandium, indium, and dysprosium. The K at the end of color rating for each bulb stands for Kelvin. This is a measurement of the color temperature. The higher the Kelvin rating, the cooler (bluer) the color of light given off by the bulb. In general, the color given off by the 10,000K German is interpreted as being a perfect white color.
There are two main considerations to decide upon when chosing Metal Halide bulbs and systems: wattage and color temperature.
- There are generally two considerations when planning wattage, tank depth and the requirements of various types of corals. Tanks 18" and shorter will, typically, use 175 or 250 watt MH bulbs. Typically, tanks 24" and over will use 400 watt MH bulbs. I have found most soft and large-polyped-stony corals to do just fine within 5-15 inches from a 175 watt bulb and 10-24 inches from a 400 watt bulb. Most small-polyped-stony corals survive within 5-10 inches from a 175 watt but appear to thrive within 5-15 inches of 250 and 400 watt bulbs. These are all just general statements to assist in going the correct route with chosing wattage. They are not absolute truths.
- Color temperature is a hotly debated topic where there is no one recommendation that will fit everybody. Lower Kelvin temperatures are yellower and greener colors while higher Kelvin temperatures are whiter and bluer colors. There are two factors that determine most hobbysts choice of bulb colors, par rating and aesthetics. The 6500K Iwasaki bulb is generally regarded as an excellent PAR rated bulb. However, it`s green tinged yellowish color makes for what is considered by many as poor aesthetics. This is not the say the much bluer 20,000K German bulb is aesthetically ideal. Many hobbyists complain this bulb is too blue. By far, the bulbs most popularly purchased are the 10,000K German and the 12,000K Sunburst bulbs. The majority of hobbyists choose aesthetics as the determining factor of chosing color temperature for the primary reason that the appearance of our aquariums is of utmost importance. Due to the subjective nature of color preference, we refrain from making suggestions on which color temperature is right for you. Instead, we have a visual bulb comparison of the popular bulbs on the market.
As a general rule of thumb, use one metal halide bulb for 24" of tank length. Most of the Metal Halide bulbs in the same wattage format can be interchanged. However, please contact us to make sure. Metal Halide bulbs are one the most difficult aspects of the hobby to recommend. Most of the information here is general.
Common questions/problems concerning metal halide lamps:
- Metal halide lamps of the same kind are different colors?
Metal halide lamps operate by passing an electric arc through an arc tube that excites particles in the arc tube. When the metal particles reach an excited state they emit energy in the form of visible light. It takes 100 hours of operation before the metal particles stabilize and become a consistent color. All metal halides require 100 hours of operation before color and light output stabilize. All metal halides inherently have a slight color variation between individual lamps.
- The metal halide lamp fires and then either burns dull or the arc extinguishes?
Usually the ballast and lamp are not receiving enough power. Metal halides pull a high current. Usually the problem is either there is too great a load on the circuit or the extension cords are of a small wire size and can`t handle the power needed by the ballast. Use only heavy duty extension cords and try running a ballast off a circuit from another part of the house.
- Do I need a cover shield between the lamp and the aquarium?
Metal halide lamps produce a large amount of UV and also have a potential of exploding. The single ended metal halide lamps have an outer jacket which eliminates most of the UV. However, they have an inherent risk of exploding and UL requires metal halide lamps to be enclosed. On double ended lamps there is no UV shield. Double ended lamps must have a glass shield or major eye injuries including blindness may occur.
- Can I operate a ballast and lamp together which are designed for different wattages?
Each wattage lamp and ballast are designed together for optimal performance and safety. If you over drive the lamp it may explode and shorten the life of the ballast and lamps. If you under drive the lamp it will also shorten the life of both components and also may explode. Do not mix different type wattages of lamps and ballasts.
NOTE: Double ended bulbs should always be used with the UV shield (supplied). Your corals can suffer from excess UV radiation otherwise. The bulb should be handled carefully as well since it has no outer glass casing. Using soft gloves is a good idea to keep finger prints off bulb. This is during installation and replacement.
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Manufacturer Info
Aqua Medic Aquarium Supplies
Aqua Medic has been a prominent name in the aquarium industry for over 22 years. The company was founded in Bissendorf, Germany and opened a North America distribution center in 2002 to better serve hobbyists in the United States and Canada. As the company continually introduces new products from the European market into North America they also provide excellent service for all of their products and carries a wide variety of replacements parts. Their open relationship with customers welcomes suggestions and user feedback. We carry a variety of Aqua Medic aquarium supplies including pumps, protein skimmers, light fixtures and accessories.
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Expert Reviews
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13000K Metal Halide Bulb - Aqualine AB, Double Ended
Reviews
Not so blue
by
TEDRA SMITH
Average
Posted: 1/13/2013 from BAKERSFIELD, CA UNITED STATES
3.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Good amount of light. Not nearly as blue as some made it sound. I think it is a very neutral light, not yellow and not blue. Pretty but I was wanting something to make the colors in my corals pop a little more.
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Super light
by
Burto
Excellent!
Posted: 9/12/2012 from BurtosReef
4.5
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Fantastic bulb. No yellow hue. Just gorgeous warm light with maybe a hint of blue. After a week, the corals are really coming around and responding well to the bulbs.
Only down side is cost. But it seems in this case, you get what you pay for.
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Beautiful color
by
Geraud
Excellent!
Posted: 2/25/2011 from NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
A very beautiful lamp. The color is very white but not yellow, with a slight hint of blue that makes color pop across all the colors available in our aquariums. Fluorescent colors do pop out as well very nicely.
You could actually use it directly without actinic supplementation
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Disappointing
by
Steeler
Unsatisfactory
Posted: 12/20/2010 from READING, PA UNITED STATES
1.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Good color for the first lighting, but while installing this bulb and I did so very softly.. The ceramic tip that houses the contact on one side broke(basically disintegrated). I installed it and it did fire but I am afraid it will ruin either the ballast or explode so I removed it.
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AB 10k lights
by
Dave
Excellent!
Posted: 12/4/2010 from FREDERICKSBURG, VA UNITED STAT
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Have only used AB lamps, replaced yearly for 6 years.My frogspawn, 18x18 inch bouquet, loves it as well as my xenia and finger coral. It also gives a nice bright white light to the tank when mixed with super actinics.Change them yearly and your tank will thank you.
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Great bulbs.
by
KSzegi
Great
Posted: 7/26/2010 from OCALA, FL UNITED STATES
4.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Replaced the stock bulbs that came with the Outer Orbit fixture with 3 of these ..... much better bulbs. The light is considerably brighter and noticeably less yellow. The color of these is as i had hoped - very white with just a hint of blue. Mix great with the PC actinics as supplement.
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It's OK
by
IVAN A DIXON
Average
Posted: 6/24/2010 from Rowlett, TX UNITED STATES
3.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
Although this bulb got pretty positive reviews, it's not as blue as I would like for a 13K so I'll have to supplement with some actinic color. The real test is seeing if they are a good fit for my SPS but it's too early to tell.
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More blue than normal
by
MJH
Excellent!
Posted: 8/22/2008 from LAS VEGAS, NV UNITED STATES
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
Compared to this bulb, my old bulbs appear dingy and yellow. I don't really want a ton of blue, but I think this bulb is pretty much the ideal color. It's very bright though, which is good, but it did cause some minor shock to the system. I really like it. I wish it wasn't the most expensive bulb out there.
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Great Bulb
by
MK
Great
Posted: 7/25/2008 from IRVINE, CA UNITED STATES
4.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Very bright white and really shows off my corals and fish. Really brings out my live rock as well. The only downside is the price, which is why I rated 4 stars instead of 5. This could be an exchange rate factor unfortunately.
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AB with Icecap / PFO reflector
by
JOHN TEN
Excellent!
Posted: 5/22/2008 from HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA UNITED ST
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
About 4 years ago, I did an extensive research with Dr. Patel on the various combinations of 150w DE ballast / bulb / reflector combos on PAR. My goals are simple: I live in California, electric cost and heat are problems during summer, so I would not look at any 250w or 400w solutions, only 150w. With this very restricted choices, I narrow down to this combo: AB Aqualine 10K 150 DE Bulbs (german made), PFO Reflector 2nd Generation series reflector, and IceCap's 150watt ballast (actually around 170watts using Kilawatt meter). I know there are other german made bulbs that are good but I am here to give AB an 5 Star rating due to its longevity in lifespan on PAR over the years. They do cost more but if you can pull Dr. Patel's old research charts, you'll be amazed that this 150w DE bulb, nearly on PAR with 250w solutions! AB 10K 150w DE bulbs are simply excellent if not the best 150w solutions out there.
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