Incandescent Lighting vs. Metal Halide Lighting

This is a continuation article from the previous aquarium lighting series—Fluorescent Lighting vs. Compact Fluorescent Lighting.

Incandescent Lighting

These types of lights are inexpensive and versatile, and suitable for both big and small aquariums.

In smaller aquariums, there is an advantage of being able to fit many different types of these bulbs into a smaller-sized aquarium hood. However, in deeper aquariums, such lighting may be inefficient as the bulb life is short and lumen (brightness of light) output inadequate.

When shopping for incandescent bulbs, bear in mind factors like colors, wattage, connector type and bulb life.

Incandescent lights can produce a significant amount of heat. This can be helpful or detrimental depending on how and where the lights are used. More often than not, they are detrimental to smaller aquariums as smaller bodies of water are more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations (caused when lights are switched on and off).

To lessen the impact of the heat produced, ensure that proper circulation and/or ventilation is provided.

Metal Halide Lighting

These types of lights are more compact and aesthetically appealing than fluorescent lights. They are particularly popular with reef or planted aquarium hobbyist as an intensive light source. They are “sun-like”, as they can create the pretty dancing and rippling effects often seen when sunlight is reflected off the surface of a body of water.

When buying metal halide lighting, first bear in mind the fish and plants you intend to keep in the aquarium so that you can determine how bright the bulb should be, and which colors your would like to use.

The bulbs come in a variety of colors and temperatures. Temperatures are indicated by “degree Kelvin” of “K”. the lower the degree K, the whiter or more yellowish the light appears; the higher it is, the more bluish the light.

Enthusiasts with freshwater planted aquariums may prefer a lower K bulb (around the 5,500 to 6,500 K range), whereas those with saltwater reef aquariums may prefer bulbs within the higher range (10,000 to 20,000 K range).

Like incandescent lights, metal halide lightings can also produce a considerable amount of heat and thus raise the temperature of the aquarium water. Besides providing adequate ventilation, some tanks – especially reef aquariums which require strict temperature parameters – may also require a chiller unit to cool the water.

These bulbs also come with various fittings, such as pendant lamps, independent bulb hoods, ventilated hoods, combination (fluorescent, compact, halide) or hi-tech hoods.

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