(Abbr. MH) A type of high intensity discharge lamp in which the major portion of the light is produced by radiation of metal halide and mercury vapors in the arc tube. Includes clear and phosphor-coated lamps that differ in their color-rendering characteristics.
Metal halide lights are a type of light bulb which burns very white and very bright. They require a special fixture and ballast. They are the closest thing we have to artificial sunlight, and are typically used on reefs and planted tanks. They are very efficient in terms of lumens/watt. Do not confuse these with halogen bulbs, which have a very yellow light not appropriate for aquarium use.
A type of projector lamp giving out a bright, clear white light, and used in many medium and all high-end portable projectors. These lamps emit a very high amount of light for the amount of power they consume. Unlike many other types of lamp, they slowly lose intensity (brightness) as they are used. These lamps output a very "hot" temperature light, Their whites are "extremely" white and make Halogen lamps whites look yellowish in comparison.
Excellent exterior security lighting. Emits a white light. Yields between 65 and 117 lumens per watt. Good color rendering.
Lamps that produce very hot and very bright light. Used as an artificial sun for reef tanks.
a high-intensity discharge lamp type that uses mercury and several halide additives as light-producing elements.
A type of high intensity discharge (HID) lamp in which most of the light is produced by radiation of metal halide and mercury vapors in the arc tube. Available in clear and phosphor-coated lamps.
Metal halide light bulbs give off a much brighter image and last longer than halogen. High-end, and some medium projectors now use metal halide bulbs.
A very intense type of lighting used in marine and freshwater plant aquaria.
(lighting) Like fluorescents metal halides work on a discharge process. It is more of an industrial light and has a bluish tinge. Good for outdoor lighting of plants and gardens. However they are often used in retail environments as a way of increasing the lux level.
A type of HID Lamp or Luminaire characterised by good quality white light and higher cost. Reliability and lamp life are dependant on wattage and exact type of lamp and gear used.
A type of light bulb that uses special gases to give off a very bright white light. They give off a spectrum of light very similar to sunlight and are highly recommended for reef aquariums. Metal Halide bulbs require a special ballast unit for operation.
Pressurized gas inside an arc tube ionized by current flowing between electrodes, resulting in light being emitted. Contains mercury plus small amounts of argon, neon and krypton gas, and iodides of sodium and scandium or other rare-earth elements.
A UV curing lamp that has additives in the form of Halides that produce a spectral output different to that of mercury vapour.