Aqua One are relative newcomers to the aquarium hobby in the UK. In their native Australia they have forged a reputation for innovative and reliable products whose worth is now being discovered in the UK and elsewhere. Their MG range of metal halide pendants has been available for some time now and has achieved popularity not least because they are supplied as standard with brackets that enable them to be fixed directly to the aquarium itself. (NB. They are also supplied in the more traditional wire suspension kit). The same is true of the new models that dovetail neatly into this range. The MG-D metal halide pendants incorporate 250W single ended lamps with no actinic lamps. Perhaps of most interest to marine aquarists is the fact that these systems are supplied with remote ballasts with an analogue timer built in. This not only makes for a relatively lightweight pendant but also reduces some of the temperature produced directly over the aquarium. Something that those aquarists who struggled with elevated water temperatures last summer will immediately see the benefit of.
Otherwise the unit is as functional as its counterparts, finished in silver and black with light shutters (“Barn doors”) supplied as standard. And an effective mesh grille along its upper surface to facilitate heat loss to the atmosphere. The light output was very good over the 120cm x 60cm x 60cm aquarium we used as our testing bed for the purposes of this feature using the 1 metre long twin 250W unit. The arguments concerning the lack of actinic lighting will rage on unchecked for years but there is nothing to stop more conventional T8 or T5 lamps being added to the aquarium especially when these are also available with remote ballasts as an option. Our own observations certainly suggested that actinic lighting was not missed on our aquarium.
Aqua One’s MG-D metal halides offer an excellent no-nonsense option for marine aquarists wishing to provide high output lighting with the added advantage of reduced over-tank temperatures. It is ideal for those hobbyists who enjoy products that do exactly what they say on the tin. There are four of these systems in new range: |
