K-1 FAQ's Q: What is the difference between a mogul base and a medium base? A: Mogul bases are the standard for single ended (SE) metal halide lighting. Medium base is very similar to a household incandescent socket and is usually only available for lower wattages. All K-1 Lamps are mogul base type. Q: Why won’t my lamp restart once I power it off? A: After a metal halide lamp is turned off, it may take up to 5-15 minutes to cool down and restart. Q: Why does the color of my lamp differ from other lamps of the same Kelvin? A: All manufacturers vary slightly in color from Kelvin to Kelvin. Metal halide lamps require up to 100 hours to burn in set to the right color temperature. Q: Why does my lamp flicker and turn off? A: Your lamp may flicker and turn off during the first 100 hours burn in period. Let it cool down and restart. If this persists check the lamp for cracks (hairline) and the ANSI code on the ballast to make sure you have a compatible lamp and ballast. Q: Will it harm my lamp if I run a ballast that is not compatible? A: Operating a lamp with incorrect ballast may cause pre-mature failure of the lamp or ballast and can be very dangerous. Please call us if you are not sure (310) 672-4099. Q: What is ANSI stand for? A: ANSI is the acronym for American National Standards Institute. Q: How many K-1 Lamps will I need? A: We recommend 1 metal halide lamp for every 24" of length you wish to illuminate Q: How do I determine what wattage I need? A: Generally, you will be safe with the following assumptions" 175 Watt – for tanks up to 18" deep 250 Watt – for tanks up to 30" deep 400 Watt – for tanks up to 48" deep Note: Many species such as SPS and Clams require higher intensity and may need additional wattage for thriving conditions. Q: How many hours should I run the lamps? A: We recommend 8-10 hours per day. Q: Do I need to use actinic lighting to supplement the halides? A: Although it is not necessary, we recommend adding actinics to our 6500K and 10K for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Our 14K and 20K will not require additional actinics due to its natural blue appearance. Q: How often should I change my lamps? A: We recommend you change your lamps every 9-12 months to maintain the highest lumens for your tank inhabitants. Q: Do Metal Halides produce a lot of heat? A: Metal halides can easily heat the water temperature upwards of 5-10 degrees F. We recommend a good ventilation system via fans or our ARCTICA CHILLER. Back to K-1 Page