Metal Halide

Similar to mercury vapor lamps, the only difference is that metal halide lights do not use mercury but scandium iodide, also known as sodium iodide. While metal halide lighting is used in a number of situations, keep in mind that as these lights near the end of life, they can explode. Because of this, open-fixture lamps have been developed, which adds an outer jacket for protection. These jackets are made in one of two options – Teflon coating and a glass shroud around the arc tube.

One of the top benefits of metal halide lighting is that it produces incredible color because of the high-pressure sodium. Additionally, metal halide is more efficient than mercury lamps. Then, when you compare this type of lighting to the popular fluorescent light, metal halide is not nearly affected by ambience temperature change.

For people that have high lighting demands, which would include lighting for a baseball field, landscaping, indoor arena, and so on, metal halide is an excellent choice. You will also find this type of light used for projectors, which creates clean, bright light, making the information presented much easier to read. Even some fish aquarium hoods are designed with metal halide lighting. Capable of emitting a high volume of light for the power used, these lights are advantageous in many situations.

As mentioned, metal halide lights will begin to lose their intensity with age. In addition, similar to incandescent lighting, metal halide lights are hot. Regular light bulbs are designed to use a metal filament that glows hot, thus producing light. However, metal halide lights are different in that they discharge electricity through a type of gas capable of producing the extremely white light.

Although metal halide lights are more expensive than standard light bulbs, they last much longer, often up to 1,000 hours. This superior lighting technology has taken the market by storm, now becoming a favorite choice for business and residential needs alike. When used for landscape lighting, trees, bushes, and flowers are much more beautifully illuminated. In the case of fish tanks, metal halide lights provide deeper illumination than other types of lighting, which is better for the fish and any live plants.

While there are many benefits for this type of lighting, just remember that because metal halide burns so hot, you always want to have good circulation. In fact, depending on the situation in which the light is being used, you might consider a nearby cooling fan, especially for a fish aquarium since you need to keep water temperatures set according to the type of fish raised.