Read About Metal Halide Bulbs

Metal Halide are bulbs good for use in a freshwater planted fish tank. Here's everything you need to know about this product.

Metal Halide - What are they?

  1. Description:

    Metal halide bulbs out put a lot of light, and provide great color for fish tanks. They consist of one glass bulb inside another, connected by a series of wires.
  2. Who Needs These?

    Anyone who owns a "reef" aquarium can benefit from using metal halide bulbs vs. traditional fluorescent lighting.
  3. Why Do You Need These?

    Metal halide aquarium lighting creates "glitter lines", which appear as short but powerful flashes of light reflecting off the reef. The light seems to "dance" as the surface water moves. Fluorescent lighting does not do this.
  4. Types:

    There is only one type of metal halide bulb, but they come in different wattages.
  5. Benefits:

    Metal halide bulbs create more attractive lighting for your reef aquarium than do fluorescent bulbs, and provide a broader color spectrum range.
  6. Uses:

    Halide bulbs can be used in any kind of aquarium, but are recommended for reef aquariums; fluorescents are fine for other types of aquariums, because halide doesn't have any true advantages unless there is reef in the tank. They are also good for use in tall, fish-only aquariums, because the intense light covers the entire tank.

Metal Halide - Tips

  1. Varieties:

    Metal halide bulbs come in wattages between 70 and 1000 watts.
  2. Quality Choices:

    Generally, the higher-quality bulbs will cost more.
  3. Where to Use:

    Metal halide bulbs can either be hung above the fish tank, or mounted in special fixtures, to disperse the amount of light and heat in the aquarium.

Metal Halide - Concerns

  1. Safety Issues:

    Metal halide bulbs are extremely hot, and can crack or break easily. Overexposure to ultraviolet light can result if the lamps are broken (if the outer lamp cracks, but the inner lamp continues to be lit).
  2. Behavioral Issues:

    Fish may be livelier under metal halide lighting because of the higher heat output of the bulbs.
  3. Convenience:

    Metal halide bulbs are readily available at an aquarium supply store.

Metal Halide - How to Choose

  1. What to Look For:

    Make sure that you select the right wattage of metal halide bulb for the fixture in which it is mounted.
  2. Expense:

    Metal halide bulbs are more expensive than fluorescent or incandescent lighting.
  3. Other Items You Might Need:

    If you want to mount the bulbs directly on the tank, you will need a special fixture.