Ushio Screw Socket Metal Halide Bulbs

Screw-socket metal halide bulbs in a wide range of color temperatures and wattage to reproduce natural light conditions found in the ocean. Significantly brighter than other types of bulbs, metal halide bulbs can be used alone or with Actinic bulbs for a bluer effect. Use with any appropriately sized mogul socket metal halide lighting unit. Use Ushio screw socket metal halide bulbs with a pulse start (M137) ballast.

Available in:
175 watt AQ 10,000°K
250 watt AQ 10,000°K
250 watt AQ 14,000°K
250 watt AQ 20,000°K
400 watt AQ 10,000°K

Handle bulb by socket end only, DO NOT touch bulb.

Please click on "More Information" for further details and safety precautions.

Metal halide lamps produce the most concentrated, most intense light of any type of artificial lighting. They are ideally suited for deep freshwater planted aquariums and saltwater reef aquariums containing light-loving corals such as SPS (small polyped stony) and LPS (large polyped stony) corals, and invertebrates including Tridacna clams, and others. A spectacular desirable effect of metal halide lighting in your aquarium is the "glitter effect," which replicates the effect of surface waves reflecting on a reef in a natural environment.

HQI systems are relatively new to the hobby and offer many of the same features as conventional metal halide systems, but differ in design. The bulb is much smaller than screw socket halides and is double ended. Many of the ballasts for the metal halides can also be used for HQI fixtures. The HQI bulbs, however, require a system-specific socket. Wattage selections for HQI bulbs are commonly available in 150 and 250 watt bulbs.

Tip from our Techs
What watt do I need?
150W - 175W: For aquariums up to 20" deep with mixed corals including a few SPS corals and clams placed high in the aquarium.
250W: For aquariums up to 30" deep with mixed corals including SPS corals and clams.
400W: For aquariums up to 48" deep or a dedicated SPS coral and clam aquarium.
1000W: For aquariums deeper than 48" with mixed corals or a planted aquarium.

Metal Halide Bulb Safety and Handling

• Metal Halide discharge lamps should only be operated in enclosed fixtures with an ultraviolet absorbing glass filter (protective lens). Failure to do so may cause serious skin and eye inflammation. Do not use these lamps in any fixtures where any unfiltered light is emitted from the fixture. Do not operate these lamps if the ultraviolet absorbing filter glass is broken or uninstalled.
  
  
• Metal Halide discharge lamps should only be operated in enclosed fixtures that safely contain all lamp parts in the event of a lamp burst or rupture. These lamps operate at a high internal pressure and at high temperatures. A lamp burst may occur, causing physical injury and property damage.
  
  
• Metal Halide lamps should never be operated beyond their rated useful life. The risk of a lamp burst increases with lamp age, temperature, improper operation, and improper handling.
  
  
• Never bump, drop, apply excessive stress, or scratch the lamp. This could cause the lamp to burst. Do not operate any lamps with any traces of scratches, cracks, or physical damage.
  
  
• Never operate a lamp above or below its rated current or voltage. This could cause the lamp to leak or burst. Only operate lamp with compatible ballast and fixture.
  
  
• Always turn off the electrical power before inserting, removing, or cleaning the lamp. Avoid touching the lamp with your bare hands, and be sure to wipe off any fingerprints with a clean, lint-free soft cloth. Debris or oils left on the lamp can damage the lamp as it heats up.
  
  
• Electrical connections should be clean and in good condition.
  
  
• Replace the lamp holders and sockets when needed.
  
  
• Affix the lamp securely in the socket. Improper installations will cause arcing, overheating, and shorten life to the lamp and socket.
  
  
• Never touch the lamp when it is on, or soon after it has been turned off, as it is hot and may cause burns. Lamps should be allowed to cool for a minimum of 10 minutes after the lamp is turned off.
  
  
• Do not use lamp in close proximity of paper, cloth, or other combustible material that can cause a fire hazard and never expose operating lamp to moisture.
  
  
• Do not look directly at the operating lamp for any period of time, this may cause eye injury.
  
  
• Metal Halide lamps require several minutes of warm-up time to come to full brightness and color.
  
  
• Shut down period of 15 minutes per week is recommended for optimum lamp life.