Lighting

[kimoy]

i've been thinking about this for a long time. but i guess i will not find out the answer if i don't ask someone. i've been asking myself about the difference between the metal hallide lighting for aqauriums and the ones you can buy from a home store like home depot? i can easily buy a high wattage metalhalides lamp from home depot for a fraction the cost of what is available in a pet store.

[bkv1997]

The differences are:

1) The components are usually not made from rust resistant materials such as aluminum etc.
2) The reflectors aren't usually as high of a quality
3) The bulbs are usually also perpindicular to the waters surface where as aquarium based systems are usually parrallel.

Just my thoughts.
Brandon

[bkv1997]

That said a LFS runs 1000 watt fixtures like your questioning about and they get the same PAR ratings as a 250 watt DE bulb powered by an HQI ballast.