Arcadia Metal Halide Lamps - Marine

Arcadia Metal Halide Lamps, Marine 14,000K and Marine 20,000K are available from Swell UK at discounted prices.

Why should I use a metal halide lamp?

Metal halide is commonly accepted as the best substitute for nature when it comes to aquarium lighting.

The exceptionally high light output when compared to other lamp types such as fluorescent tubes, makes them a very effective light source, particularly for the larger tank set-up.

Commonly used in marine aquariums, they can also be a very useful asset in freshwater tanks - particular those where good plant growth is desired.

Metal halide lamps for marine aquariums When choosing a lamp for use over a marine aquarium, there are two factors that are important.

Firstly, the light output has to be beneficial to the health of the livestock. This is particularly important in tanks containing invertebrates such as corals (hard or soft), anemones, and Tridacna clams.

A suitable light is one which promotes photosynthesis by the microscopic algae (zooxanthellae) which live within the tissues of such invertebrates.

This relationship between the algae and its host animal is extremely important. If the algae do not flourish within the tissue, then the health of the host animal will suffer, and in many cases will ultimately lead to death if not corrected.

Combined with this, a lamp must provide an effect which is visually pleasing to the eye of the fish keeper.

We all want the creatures in our care to be as healthy as possible, but if we can achieve this without compromising the aesthetic appeal, so much the better.

This is why we have developed our new 14,000 Kelvin lamp.

The output actively promotes photosynthesis within the tissues of those invertebrates which utilise symbiotic zooxanthellae, and so allowing healthy growth.

Visually, the appearance is very clear and crisp, with excellent colour rendition, resulting in a very natural looking picture within the confines of the aquarium.

The lamp is available in three sizes - 150W, 250W, and 400W - The latter being particularly for the deeper than average aquarium, or those containing species of stony corals with a very high light demand.

The '20,000K' lamp has been developed to replicate this environment in the slightly deeper water - providing the light levels that the organisms need, and also creating an attractive 'moonlight' effect in the aquarium.