Are metal halide bulbs being phased out?
Most marine reef hobbyists preferred metal halide or T5 lighting technology because of cost consideration and that they will grow coral in reef aquariums. This fact remains undisputed but there are other costs to consider beside the cost of the lighting.
Can you replace metal halide bulbs with LED bulbs?
A 400 watt metal halide bulb can be replaced with a 200 watt LED. A 100 watt metal halide can be replaced with a 50 watt LED. Implementing an LED replacement program should result in a 50% reduction in annual energy use (kWh) costs. It may also lower electric demand (kW) charges.
Can I use a higher wattage metal halide bulb?
ALL UL listed metal halide bulbs are internally protected, they can only draw their rated wattage. Go ahead and buy the big ballast in case you want to upgrade later.
Is there a difference in metal halide bulbs?
Metal halide lights are 3-5 times as efficient as incandescent bulbs and produce a much higher quality light. In many cases, and depending on the particular mix of metal halides, they have a very high color temperature (up to 5500K).
How often should you change metal halide bulbs?
MH (Metal Halide) bulbs need to be replaced every 8 months on a 18 hour on 6 hour off cycle. MH bulbs lose 40% output in a year, so you lose around 40% yield. Problems like the light going on & off with power outages make the life of the bulb even shorter.
Which is better metal halide lamp vs LED?
Both metal halides and LEDs are considered to be more energy-efficient than incandescent lamps. However, when it comes down to the numbers, the energy efficiency of an LED far exceeds that of a metal halide lamp. A new 400-watt metal halide lamp is rated to last up to 20,000 hours.
Can you use high pressure sodium bulbs in metal halide fixture?
The primary visual difference between them is that metal halide light is white and the light emitted from a High Pressure Sodium bulb is amber orange. These bulbs cannot be interchanged without changing their ballast, the regulating element in all light bulbs.
Do metal halide bulbs require a ballast?
Metal halide (MH) ballasts are required to start the lamp, regulate the lamp starting and lamp operating currents, and provide appropriate sustaining supply voltage.
Do metal halide bulbs require ballast?
What happens when you put a higher watt LED light bulb?
Using a light bulb with too high of wattage can lead to overheating of the light bulb. This heat can melt the light socket as well as the insulation of the wires. Once that happens, you put yourself at risk of arc faults, and this is something that could even lead to property fires.
Why do metal halide bulbs explode?
Metal halide (MH) lamps can explode (typically referred to as sudden nonpassive failure) because they operate at high pressures, but some products are manufactured with safety features to prevent injury.
How do you know if a metal halide bulb is bad?
Usually the lamps will gain a pinkish hue when compared to other lamps in the same system. This is caused when metal vapors in the lamp are expired from heat or burning, and the lack of a particular mixture in the arc tube renders a different color.
What causes a metal halide to go off?
Light output will generally be low, but present. Metal Halide Lamps Normal end-of-life is caused by sodium loss from the arc tube. The lamp may be hard to start.
Is LED brighter than metal halide?
We provided the example of a 400-watt metal halide above. However, at just 150 watts, an LED can burn even brighter! This means they consume less energy to produce the same, if not better, lighting than that of a metal halide.
Which is better metal halide or high pressure sodium?
Metal halide is much less efficient than high pressure sodium–MH produces much less light per watt; MH produces more glare due to the blue light component and increases adaptation time; MH more effectively shuts off melatonin production which can trigger tumor growth; MH contains more mercury within the bulbs; MH …
What’s the difference between high pressure sodium and metal halide?
What is the Difference Between Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium? Both Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium bulbs are part of the HID family of bulbs. The primary visual difference between them is that metal halide light is white and the light emitted from a High Pressure Sodium bulb is amber orange.
What type of bulb gives the best light?
LED bulbs fit standard light sockets and are the most energy-efficient option. LEDs have lower wattage than incandescent bulbs but emit the same light output. This allows them to produce the same amount of light but use less energy. LEDs can last more than 20 years and don’t contain mercury.
What is the brightest light bulb?
The Brightest Household LED Bulb: The Philips 5000 Lumen LED Bulb is the brightest LED bulb — this is a huge bulb (5.28 x 5.28 x 12.13 inches ). The Brightest “Warm White” LED Bulb: The SANSI 27W A21 Dimmable LED Light Bulb. This bulb is warm white and produces 3500 lumens.
Can you touch a metal halide bulb?
Yes, it’s going to be a problem for you. When the bulb is in contact with something that point on the bulb becomes a heat sink and the glass temperature on that point of the bulb will become unstable and may cause the bulb to burst. It’s the same reason that you don’t want water to ever touch a MH in operation.
How can you tell if a metal halide bulb is bad?
Can you use metal halide for flowering?
Metal halide (MH) lamps can be used for flowering, but there are two problems that they have when compared with high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps. The first is that they don’t emit as much total light. HPS lamps emit more than 20% more light, so MH lamps are not as intense when covering the same area.
How long does it take for a metal halide bulb to turn on?
1 to 15 minutes
Metal halide (MH) lamps do not achieve their full light output immediately after starting. Rather, they require a period of time-1 to 15 minutes-to reach 90% of their full light output.
What type of light bulb is closest to natural light?
Halogen Light Bulb
Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent that gives a close approximation of natural daylight, known as “white light.” Colors appear sharper under halogen light and the bulbs can be dimmed.
Which is brighter cool white or daylight?
Q: Is cool white the same as daylight? A: No, daylight is generally brighter than cool white. However, at the brightest end of the cool white colour temperature range, it will still be very bright.
How many watts is considered bright?
Watts to Lumens – Energy Output to Brightness Produced
60-watt bulb produces 800 lumens of light (most widely used in households) 75-watt bulb produces 1,100 lumens of light. 100-watt bulb produces 1,600 lumens of light. 150-watt bulb produces 2,600 lumens of light.