Would this work

[melz]

Was talking to a few other reefers today and we were discussing metal halides and how dear they were.

The idea that someone had was that the garden floodlights that you can buy from argos could/would possibly work?????? they are a fraction.

whats your ideas on this, and has anyone ever tried it?

[nick18tjetta]

People have been trying to get cheap lighting for reef tanks since the begining of time, it does not exist. IMO lighting is not an area you want to skimp on. Floodlights are fine for a refugium, not suited for a main tank. If you look at the plant lights for hydroponics, they will work with the correct bulbs, but they cost just as much or more than Reef Halide setups.

[dhnguyen]

Metal Halide floodlight fixtures will work just fine assuming you use the right bulbs with the right kelvin ratings (6500K or more)

Reef lighting doesn't neccessarily means expensive. There are deals to be had when you buy used as well. I recently bought 3 X 400w Hamilton ballasts with 3 mogul sockets, 3 bulbs, and 3 spider reflectors all for less than $200.

There are also ready made fixtures that a quite affordable as well. Check out the new electronic MH fixtures from odyssea.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1090216

D.

[dtaylor123]

Be careful with any non-aquarium set up. Aquarium lighting is made know that salt water will be part of the mix, plant lights do not have to worry about salt spray and salt creep. The end cap or sockets are not designed to be used near water.