Mercury Vapour Bulb Questions.....

[Adam]

First off, I want to know the reason why these bulbs cannot be used for marine aquariums with corals...now here is a story...

When I upgraded my lighting on my 75 gallon from 175w SE bulbs to 250w SE bulbs, immediatley after installing the 250w. system I did not have any 250w. bulbs. I had to order some off of the internet and the wait would be about 7 days. Shure I hade (2) VHO's, but they were atentics.

SO I went out and got some cheap mercury vapour bulbs and put em' in. The tank was sooo bright it was like the sun was directly over my aquarium. I mean, when the fish swam around, a strong shadow was left under them. Mabe I should'nt have done this, but when I got my 10k 250w XM's and installed them, there was no ill effects to the corals during the time the mercury vapour bulbs were in. I did notice that the metal halight bulbs seemed about 25% at least duller than the mercury vapour bulbs....


So back to the first question: why can't these bulbs be used for marine aquariums with SPS type corals?

Thanks, Adam

[Adam]

anyone??? :-(

[Boosted98gsx]

maybe i'm mistaken, but aren't Iwasaki's Mercury Vapor? Same with Ushio 10k's? I ru EYE ballasts (supposed to only fire Hg vapor bulbs), and it runs saki's and ushio's just fine.

[majesticangelfish]

i think its to do with the lack of spectrum in the HQL bulbs. too much yellow/green not enough blue.

(not sure)

[Orion76]

So back to the first question: why can't these bulbs be used for marine aquariums with SPS type corals?

Mostly because it's too yellow for the aquarist, I don't think the corals care

[Adam]

really? So they are 100% safe to use???? Are they good for growth? Thanks

[nyfireman3097]

i forget where but i remember reading there not good for the system i forget y though sorry wish i could be of more help
Nick