Halide Aquarium Reef
Reef Aquarium Maintenance – Lighting
Many reef aquarium enthusiasts are well aware and keep a rigorous schedule of doing weekly and even daily maintenance on their reef aquariums to keep the water quality in check. From daily dosing of calcium and ph stabilizer to keep the alkalinity, ph and calcium levels at a level for optimum coral growth, to weekly water changes to keep nitrates and nitrites in check and add trace elements.
We all know about keeping the mechanical filters cleaned to keep from depleting oxygen levels. But may people forget about the importance of maintaining the lighting on their reef aquariums. It is not something that is noticed by the human eye because the change in intensity and color happens at such a gradual pace. The gradual deterioration of the lighting can be evident in several ways in the reef aquarium. There seems to be something wrong. The corals are not opening fully like they used to and some may even start to regress. There is suddenly growth of unwanted algae with seemingly perfect water quality.
You would not think of waiting until ammonia and nitrates get out of hand to start doing water changes, so why wait until the lighting has deteriorated to change the bulbs. Many aquarium light fixtures have a glass or plexiglass cover that over time will build up a fine coating of dust reducing the amount of light reaching the corals. This cover should be cleaned on a monthly basis.
The manufacturers for metal halides recommend changing the bulbs every six months. Fluorescent bulbs such as VHO, power compacts, actinic, and T5s recommend replacement at 8 – 12 months. Many studies have concluded that metal halide bulbs can loose up to 50 percent of their original intensity and color temperature with in 1 year. In other words, a 14,000K HQI bulb after a year could have a color temperature of 7,000K.
This would explain the algae growth since plants tend to utilize more of the red spectrum, while the zooxanthellae found in the coral tissues thrive more on the blue part of the spectrum. In simple terms, the higher the color temperature, the higher the blue part of the spectrum is visible and the lower the color temperature, the higher the red part of the spectrum is visible. To simulate the lighting for the reef aquarium we need to understand the light that occurs naturally on the reef with sunlight. The ocean has a blue color because it is the blue part of the spectrum that penetrates the water the deepest and the red and yellow are filtered out.
Color Shift and Variation
New metal halide bulbs need to have the arc tube chemicals “burn-in” for approximately 100 hours before they reach their optimum color and light level. This is why new lamps can sometimes be unstable or vary in color. Many manufacturers “burn-in” their bulbs before they are sold. As the lamps age, chemical changes occur in the lamp causing shifts in the chromaticity of the lamps. Different lamp designs shift in different ways, and different lamps from the same group may shift in different amounts.
Generally, over the economic life lamps will shift 200K to 300K in color temperature. As a group of lamps ages together in a facility, the lamps will generally shift at the same rate causing very little color variation from lamp to lamp. However, if new replacement lamps are introduced into the group of lamps, color differences may be more noticeable, because the new lamps have not aged and shifted with the remainder of lamps. This is just one of the reasons why many users prefer to group relamp as opposed to spot relamping.
Although Fluorescent bulbs do not have a burn-in time and last longer they tend to build up a coating on the tube, reducing the intensity and color temperature.
PAR – Polysynthetic Available Radiation.
While PAR might be an unfamiliar term in comparison to the more often seen Lumens or Lux, it is by far the most appropriate way for us to assess light in connection with the Reef Tank since it measures the light intensity of the spectrum that is utilized by the corals. Lumens and Lux are measurements of how bright a light source appears to the human eye and as such has little relevance in the reef aquarium.
I believe that a PAR meter is an instrument that all serious reef aquarists should own. Buying one that has a submersible sensor allows you to measure the amount light that’s actually reaching your corals. This in turn gives you the information you need when positioning or repositioning your corals to ensure that all the various species are receiving light that’s optimum for their requirements. For more information about careing for a coral reef aquarium visit reefkeepingfever.com
About the Author
Content writer for reefkeepingfever.com
Reef Builders Solaris vs Metal Halide Reef Aquarium
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2 X 150Watt 20000K Double Ended HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S $18.98 |
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150Watt 14000K Double Ended HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S $9.99 |
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2 X 150Watt 14000K Double Ended HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S $18.98 |
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150Watt 20000K Double Ended HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S $9.99 |
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24″ 380W Metal Halide PL Lighting Aquarium Light Hood Reef Marine Coral LED $179.95 |
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36″ Metal Halide Aquarium Reef Light HQI 406W SPS Lunar LED Fish Tank Hood NEW $189.99 |
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48″ Metal Halide Aquarium Reef Light HQI 716W SPS Lunar LED Fish Tank Hood NEW $279.99 |
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MH ADV 48″ Metal Halide T5 Aquarium Light Hood 716W Coral Reef Marine LED 2x 250 $289.00 |
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Used Radium 20K 250W SE HQI Metal Halide Reef Tank Bulb For SPS MH Aquarium $2.25 |
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Coralife Reef Aquarium 175 Watt Metal Halide 6500K Lamp – New in Box $49.00 |
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24″ 346W 4X24W T5 Aquarium Light 250W Metal Halide LED Hood Coral Reef Saltwater $169.95 |
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48” 500W 15,000K Metal Halide Aquarium Light Reef 2x 250 HQI Moon LED Coral $219.95 |
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MH ADV 30″ Metal Halide T5 Light Aquarium Light Reef Marine Coral 346W LED USED $159.95 |
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MH ADV 36″ Metal Halide Aquarium Marine Coral Reef 2x 250W MH Bulb T5 LED Lunar $269.95 |
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48” 500W 15,000K Metal Halide Aquarium Light Reef 2x 250 HQI Moon LED Coral $219.95 |
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24″ 380W Metal Halide PL Lighting Aquarium Light Hood Reef Marine Coral LED $179.95 |
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48” Metal Halide 2x 250 Aquarium Light 500 watt Reef MARINE LAMP LIGHTING $199.99 |
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175 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HID $60.00 |
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400 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HID $75.00 |
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250 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HID $70.00 |
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150 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI $49.00 |
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250 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI $69.00 |
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400 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI $125.00 |
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24″ 346W 4X24W T5 Aquarium Light 250W Metal Halide LED Hood Coral Reef Saltwater $169.95 |
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70 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI $36.00 |
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150W 14000K Fish Aquarium Reef HQI Halide Halogen Light $10.99 |
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150W 14000K Aquarium Fresh Water Reef Moon Halide Light $11.79 |
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150W 14000K Fish Aquarium Freshwater Reef Light Halide $11.79 |
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Elos Aquaplanet Metal Halide Reef Aquarium Light $539.99 |
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24″ 346W 4X24W T5 Aquarium Light 250W Metal Halide LED Hood Coral Reef Saltwater $169.95 |
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ADV PLUS Aquarium Metal Halide 1070W Reef MH Light 60″ $469.99 |
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ADV PLUS Aquarium Metal Halide 1070W Reef MH Light 72″ $499.99 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 14000K Mogul E39 MH 14K Reef Marine Bulb $22.50 |
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MH ADV 48″ Metal Halide Light T5 Lighting Aquarium Reef Marine Coral 716W LED $299.00 |
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TWO PACK (2) X 70 Watt Reef Grow Metal Halide Aquarium Bulb HQI 10K $49.75 |
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1000 W 20K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $49.47 |
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1000 W 14K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $49.47 |
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1000 W 10K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $49.47 |
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3PC 70W 70 W DE 10 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $63.05 |
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3pc 70W 70 W DE 20 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $63.05 |
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3PC 70W 70 W DE 14 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $63.05 |
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70 WATT 70W DE 20 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $24.22 |
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175 W 175 WATT 14K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.22 |
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MH 150 W DE 10 K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $24.22 |
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70 W 70 WATT DE 14 K MH METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $24.22 |
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175W 175 10K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.22 |
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2PC MH70W HQI DE 20 K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $43.63 |
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MH 250W 250 14K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.22 |
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150 WATT 150W DE 20K MH HQI HALIDE AQUARIUM REEF BULB $24.22 |
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250 W 250 20K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.22 |
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250 W 250WATT 10K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.22 |
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400W WATT 14K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.22 |
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175 WATT 20K METAL HALIDE AQUARIUM LAMP REEF BULB $24.22 |
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CoralSol Tank Mount Fixture 150W HQI Metal Halide coral reef Lighting Aquarium $289.00 |
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24″ 346W 4X24W T5 Aquarium Light 250W Metal Halide LED Hood Coral Reef Saltwater $169.90 |
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36″ ADV PLUS Aquarium Metal Halide 406W Reef Fish MH $209.99 |
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Aquarium Freshwater Reef Moon Light Halide 150W 14000K $10.99 |
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72″ Metal Halide Aquarium Reef Light HQI 1070W SPS LED $499.99 |
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Aquarium Freshwater Reef Light Halide Fish 150W 14000K $10.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 10000K RX7s Double Ended 10K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 10000K RX7s Double Ended 10K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 12000K RX7s Double Ended 12K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 13000K RX7s Double Ended 13K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 14000K RX7s Double Ended 14K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 15000K RX7s Double Ended 15K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 20000K RX7s Double Ended 20K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W HQI Metal Halide 22000K RX7s Double Ended 22K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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150W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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150W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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150W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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150W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 13000K RX7s Double Ended 13K Aquarium Reef Bulb $19.95 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 12000K RX7s Double Ended 12K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 10000K RX7s Double Ended 10K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 15000K RX7s Double Ended 15K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 20000K RX7s Double Ended 20K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 22000K RX7s Double Ended 22K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.99 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 14000K RX7s Double Ended 14K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W HQI Metal Halide 10000K RX7s Double Ended 10K Aquarium Reef Bulb $20.00 |
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175W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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175W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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175W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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175W watt HQI 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide |DE| Bulb $20.50 |
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150 watts Metal Halide Bulb MH Lamp HQI Aquarium Mairne Coral Reef 15000K 15K DE $10.95 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 12000K Mogul E39 MH 12K Reef Marine Bulb $22.50 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 13000K Mogul E39 MH 13K Reef Marine Bulb $22.50 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 10000K Mogul E39 MH 10K Reef Marine Bulb $22.50 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 15000K Mogul E39 MH 15K Reef Marine Bulb $22.50 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 20000K Mogul E39 MH 20K Reef Marine Bulb $22.50 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 22000K (Blue) Mogul E39 MH 22K Reef Marine Bulb $24.50 |
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175W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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175W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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175W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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175W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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250W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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250W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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250W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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250W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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400W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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400W watt 12K, 13K, 15K, 22K Aquarium Reef Light Metal Halide Mogul |SE| Bulb $21.95 |
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2 PCS Double Ended 150Watt 20000K HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S By CBconcept $19.99 Metal Halide Lamp Characteristic: Crispy brilliant white lighting |
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2 PCS Double Ended 150Watt 14000K HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S By CBconcept $19.99 Metal Halide Lamp Characteristic: Crispy brilliant white lighting |
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*2 Pack Double Ended 150Watt 14000K HQI Metal Halide Reef Coral Aquarium Bulb R7S By CBconcept $19.99 Metal Halide Lamp Characteristic: Crispy brilliant white lighting |
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Ml Reef Capable Led Light 36 – 48 (Catalog Category: Aquarium / Lighting-compact Halide) $524.58 Ml Reef Capable Led Light 36 – 48. Marineland – Reef Capable LED Lighting Systems 36 48Correct spectral output and intensity for Reef AquariumsThree mode switch for all on, all off, or lunar night light1W 10,000k Whites 460 nm blue LEDs. Also Available in 3 additional sizes: 18-24, 24-36, 48-60… |
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Ml Reef Capable Led Light 24 – 36 (Catalog Category: Aquarium / Lighting-compact Halide) $392.16 Ml Reef Capable Led Light 24 – 36. Marineland – Reef Capable LED Lighting Systems 24 36Correct spectral output and intensity for Reef AquariumsThree mode switch for all on, all off, or lunar night light1W 10,000k Whites 460 nm blue LEDs. Also Available in 3 additional sizes: 18-24, 36-48, 48-60… |
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Ml Reef Capable Led Light 4ft (Catalog Category: Aquarium / Lighting-compact Halide) Ml Reef Capable Led Light 4ft. Marineland – Reef Capable LED Lighting Systems 48 60Correct spectral output and intensity for Reef AquariumsThree mode switch for all on, all off, or lunar night light1W 10,000k Whites 460 nm blue LEDs. Also Available in 3 additional sizes: 18-24, 24-36, 36-48… |
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Pilgrimage to the West (Definitive Edition) (Chinese Edition) $12.99 When you need the ultimate in lighting for your aquarium, nothing illuminates like metal halide. This spectacularly bright bulb mimics the high-intensity light of the midday sun while producing the same refracted shimmering, dappled look of natural sunlight. With the highest light-output-per-watt you can find, this double-ended halide lamp brings out vibrant colors and keeps your corals, plants, o… |
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Red Dust (Chinese Edition) $9.99 Metal Halide Lamp Characteristic: Crispy brilliant white lighting |