What effect would a 500 watt halogen have on growing corals?

[fredso2003]

8O Just curious,Im starting some propagation of corals and I want to know if it is possible to use a high wattage halogen light,I know that heat is defenitly a big issue.Could anyone give me some input on the effect it would have and if it could work?The tank is a 20" long and I could position the light at any height and on a timer,and I have a chiller.Please give all and any information.THANKS GUYS!

PS.-Im planning on some zoanthoids & mushrooms & xenia for starters on this project.I have large mother colonys of all the above.

 

[Mikef1]

The problem with a halogen is going to be the spectrum. Do you know what the kelvin rating is on the bulb?

 

[ricky1414]

arent halogens gonna be very yellow? halogens are what are used for standard vehicle headlamps? i dont even know what spectrum they run.

 

[ricky1414]

dang it mike, you beat me while i was typing it in...lol

 

[hdtran]

Quartz halogen lamps run around 3000 K. (But that's a true blackbody 3000 K, unlike fluorescents which are not full spectrum). The sun looks like a blackbody at around 6000 K.

 

[fredso2003]

Thanks for the quick reply's!It is a 500 watt halogen and the k rating is 5000.I ALSO HAVE A A 50/50 40 watt pc on the rig.I turned the halogen on last night its very white and crisp and when i turn on the pc it has a very crisp clear appearence,The temperature has not risen above 78'
The tank has live rock and has cycyled but im afraid to add frags until I know the effect the halogen will have on them,I dont want to damage them babie's??????help????????? :roll:

 

[FranklinP]

What kind of halogen bulb is it? I thought they were more towards the red spectrum than 5k. Just curious, thanks.

 

[taikonaut]

The highest halogen is around 4800K at the most.... are you sure it is not halide (metal halide) :?

 

[fredso2003]

My mistake.Im such a fool! THE LFS GUY TOLD ME ITS 5000K!
After proper investigation and true advice from you reefer's I have found out that this fine 500 watt halogen light that I am the proud owner of will grow some really nice algea :lol: and boil my water very nicely!from now on i will do more research in the future on all my tank needs.Thanks for all the input. The Reef Rookie

 

[Mikef1]

Well everyone learns from their mistakes!

 

[taikonaut]

Hopefully it was not an expensive mistake... most honest business will let you return the item for store credit... did you tried?

 

[silly34]

Halogens are good for growing algea if left on for a while, I used halogen 10 and 20 what spot lights that were used for lighting under cabinets. I got tired of the flourescent lighting, very harsh. Halogen gives a much more natural feel. But anyhow, currently I use the same halogen lights as a step to help the fish adjust to the changing light when the main lights cut on/off.

B.