Available
in Double Ended 75W, 150W, 250W; Single Ended
175W, 250W, 400W, 1000W with color temperatures
of 10,000K, 14,000K and 20,000K+
PRODUCT FEATURES & BENEFITS
● High color temperature —
10000K, 14000K, 20000K
● Excellent color rendering — 90 CRI
● Superior spectrum balance
● High PAR values
● High color stability
● High intensity
● Made in Germany
PRODUCT APPLICATIONS
● Marine / Aquariums
● Salt water reefs / Hard corals
● Marine fauna & flora
● Landscape
● Architecture
● Fountains
● Waterscape
● Pools
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
DOUBLE ENDED - RX7S & FC2/18 BASE
- Burn position:
H±45º
Watts
(W) |
USHIO
Ordering
Code |
USHIO
Lamp
Description |
Lamp
Current
(A) |
Dia
(in) |
MOL
(in) |
Arc
Gap
(mm) |
CRI |
Lum.
Flux
(lm) |
Life
(h) |
Ballast |
| 75 |
5000870 |
UHI-70AQ/10 |
1.5 |
0.79 |
4.50 |
16 |
80 |
3100 |
6000 |
M85** |
| 75 |
5001627 |
UHI-70AQ/14 |
1.5 |
0.79 |
4.50 |
16 |
90 |
- |
6000 |
M85** |
| 75 |
5001606 |
UHI-70AQ/20+ |
1.5 |
0.79 |
4.50 |
16 |
N/A |
1700 |
6000 |
M85** |
| 150 |
5000440 |
UHI-150AQ/10 |
1.5 |
0.91 |
5.20 |
18 |
90 |
7000 |
6000 |
M81** |
| 150 |
5001587 |
UHI-150AQ/14 |
3.0 |
0.91 |
5.20 |
18 |
70 |
6000 |
8000 |
M81** |
| 150 |
5001588 |
UHI-150AQ/20+ |
3.6 |
0.91 |
5.20 |
18 |
N/A |
3000 |
8000 |
M81** |
| 250 |
5000763 |
UHI-250AQ/10 |
4.0 |
0.98 |
5.47 |
24 |
90 |
10500 |
8000 |
M80 |
| 250 |
5001589 |
UHI-250AQ/14 |
3.2 |
0.98 |
5.47 |
24 |
70 |
10600 |
6000 |
M80 |
| 250 |
5001590 |
UHI-250AQ/20+ |
3.2 |
0.98 |
5.47 |
24 |
N/A |
5000 |
6000 |
M80 |
**
Need ignitor with 4kV
SINGLE ENDED - E39 MOGUL BASE SCREW
( * - Pulse
Start Ballast Required!)
- Burn position: Universal 360º (1000W = H±60º)
Watts
(W) |
USHIO
Ordering
Code |
USHIO
Lamp
Description |
Lamp
Current
(A) |
Dia
(in) |
MOL
(in) |
Arc
Gap
(mm) |
CRI |
Lum.
Flux
(lm) |
Life
(h) |
Ballast |
| 175 |
5001586 |
UHI-S175AQ/65 |
1.5 |
1.81 |
8.31 |
16 |
70 |
11675 |
6000 |
M137*
/ M152 |
| 175 |
5000761 |
UHI-S175AQ/10 |
1.5 |
1.81 |
8.31 |
16 |
90 |
7500 |
6000 |
M137*
/ M152 |
| 175 |
5001591 |
UHI-S175AQ/14 |
1.5 |
1.81 |
8.31 |
16 |
70 |
7500 |
6000 |
M137*
/ M152 |
| 175 |
5001592 |
UHI-S175AQ/20+ |
1.5 |
1.81 |
8.31 |
16 |
N/A |
4300 |
6000 |
M137*
/ M152 |
| 250 |
5001070 |
UHI-S250AQ/10/CWA |
3.0 |
1.81 |
8.86 |
- |
90 |
11000 |
8000 |
M58 |
| 250 |
5002092 |
UHI-S250AQ/14/CWA |
3.0 |
1.81 |
8.86 |
- |
70 |
11000 |
8000 |
M58 |
| 250 |
5002093 |
UHI-S250AQ/20/CWA |
3.0 |
1.81 |
8.86 |
- |
N/A |
5000 |
8000 |
M58 |
| 400 |
5001492 |
UHI-S400AQ/10/CWA |
3.6 |
1.81 |
10.83 |
- |
90 |
18500 |
8000 |
M59 |
| 400 |
5002094 |
UHI-S400AQ/14/CWA |
3.6 |
1.81 |
10.83 |
- |
70 |
18500 |
8000 |
M59 |
| 400 |
5002095 |
UHI-S400AQ/20/CWA |
3.6 |
1.81 |
10.83 |
- |
N/A |
8000 |
8000 |
M59 |
| 400 |
5000760 |
UHI-S400AQ/10 |
4.0 |
1.81 |
10.83 |
40 |
90 |
18500 |
8000 |
M135*
/ M155 |
| 400 |
5001608 |
UHI-S400AQ/14 |
3.2 |
1.81 |
10.83 |
40 |
90 |
18500 |
6000 |
M135*
/ M155 |
| 400 |
5001607 |
UHI-S400AQ/20+ |
3.2 |
1.81 |
10.83 |
40 |
N/A |
8000 |
6000 |
M135*
/ M155 |
| 1000 |
5000910 |
UHI-S1000AQ/10 |
9.5 |
3.00 |
13.39 |
72 |
70 |
50000 |
3000 |
M83**
/M141 |
| 1000 |
5001493 |
UHI-S1000AQ/10/CWA |
4.1 |
3.00 |
11.42 |
- |
90 |
46000 |
3000 |
M47 |
*
Pulse start ballast required!
** Need
ignitor with 4kV
SINGLE ENDED - G12 BASE

Watts
(W) |
USHIO
Ordering
Code |
USHIO
Lamp
Description |
Lamp
Current
(A) |
Dia
(in) |
MOL
(in) |
Arc
Gap
(mm) |
CRI |
Lum.
Flux
(lm) |
Life
(h) |
Ballast |
| 150 |
5002143 |
UHI-S150AQ/14/G12 |
1.8 |
0.91 |
3.90 |
6.5 |
- |
7000 |
6000 |
M81/E, M102/E
M142/E |
Enclosed
fixture rated:
!Use only in fixtures installed with
tempered safety glass
!For architectural use - UV
protective glass in necessary
Recommended Ignition Voltage: 4kV
Lamp should be switched off for at least 15 minutes/week.
Lamp contains Mercury. Manage in Accord with disposal
Laws. See:
http://www.lamprecycle.org or 800.895.8842
Specification is subject to change without
notice.
NATURAL LIGHT
IN THE REEF
Different wavelengths of light are
absorbed at different rates by
water. The red and infrared (IR)
energy which have the longest
wavelength and therefore the least
amount of energy in the visible
spectrum do not penetrate the water
very far and are quickly absorbed at
the surface. A red fish swimming
near the surface
will appear red and vibrant but that
same fish at lower depths will
appear black since there is no red
light to reflect off of it. Next is
orange, yellow, green, and then the
blue region around 450nm which
reaches the furthest.
Although it has the shortest
wavelength and highest energy,
ultraviolet light is also quickly
absorbed from water. The smaller
wavelengths of light are easily
scattered by particles in the water. |
 |
The difference between natural light at
a few meters below the surface and
artificial light can be quite dramatic.
Professional dive photographers use xenon
strobe lamps at 6,000K daylight color
temperature to best show off the colors of
coral and marine life as we would prefer to
see it. You can see how quickly the color of
the corals and fish enhanced by a xenon
strobe fall off and everything turns blue in
the background of professional underwater
photographs.
Colors of the reef and fish that are
enhanced under the artificial light would
normally have a monotone bluish cast to it
under natural light at that depth. This is
why artificial light in reef aquariums can
be very subjective when it comes to color
rendering. The choice of lamp color
temperature is tied to the individual
aquarist’s eye when other factors such as
PAR ratings and coral growth are ruled out.
AQUALITE™ SPECTRAL DISTRIBUTION
Spectral Distribution
Wavelength theory provides a graphical representation
of radiant energy and the electromagnetic spectrum.
The preferred unit of wavelength for the visible
and ultraviolet (UV) regions of the spectrum
is the nanometer (nm).
PAR (Photosynthetically Active/Available Radiation)
The first 200 meters of the ocean depth
is termed the photic zone which is penetrated
by sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to
occur and plants thrive.
PAR is a measurement used to help determine
the photosynthetic amount of light needed by
corals and plant life. Photosynthesis in corals
utilizes energy between the blue 400nm wavelengths
and red 700nm wavelengths.
What about the UV?
UVC and UVB in excessive amounts can
be detrimental to fish and corals; However,
UV light does occur naturally in sunlight
which in balanced amounts is not necessarily
harmful. Studies have found that the
majority of coral reef fish produce
mucus that absorbs harmful UVB rays.
Corals also have developed a natural
pigmentation as a protection from UV.
Metal halide lamps produce UV light
which can be significantly filtered
by fixture glass and water depth. USHIO’s
Aqualite™ metal halide lamps are balanced
to reduce excessive amounts of UV light
for your reef system. |
 |
Aqualite™ 10,000K lamps produce the ideal
balance of blue, white and red light in the
spectrum to simulate daylight in the water.
Our Aqualite™ lamps reduce the green light,
a spectrum which can promote the growth of the
“bad” algae that grows on corals.
UVC = 100–280nm: Most harmful and used in
sterilization to kill biological organisms.
UVB = 280–315nm: Harmful and causes
sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage.
UVA = 315–400nm: Longer wavelength
and less energy than other UV. It is the least
harmful but still can be damaging to DNA and
the human eye.
Black Light Blue Lamps = 368-371nm
Actinic Lamps = 420nm Peak: Although actinic
lamps peak at 420nm they do produce wavelengths
in the UVA range so UV protective safety rules
apply.
Visible Light = 380–780nm
Photosynthetic Light = 400-700nm: The more
peaks across this broad spectrum will give you
the best photosynthetic performance.

Wavelength (nm)
Correlated Color Temperature
Measured in degrees of kelvin (K), color
temperature is the absolute temperature
of a blackbody radiator resembling that
of the light source. This black body
curve can be seen on the Color Chromaticity
Chart (see PDF spec. sheet). Color temperature can be used
as a general rule of thumb to measure
the appearance of “warmth” or “coolness”
of a light source. It does have its
limitations, since lamps with the same
color temperature rating will not often
look the same between manufacturers.
This is due to the different gas/metal
mixtures in metal halide lamps and different
phosphors used in fluorescent lamps.
Other measurements such as CRI, PAR
values, spectral distribution and lumen
depreciation should also be considered
when choosing
a light source for your reef system. |
 |
Outdoor daylight is approximately 5,600-6,000K.
Aqualite™ 10,000K lamps approximate equatorial
daylight at 5 meters of ocean depth. Aqualite™
14,000K lamps have a bluer tone to enhance blue
corals but maintain higher color rendering for
white rock and sand. Aqualite™ 20,000K+ lamps
are blue in appearance, simulating deeper water
environments. Blue lamps are typically not given
a color temperature just as we would not assign
a color temperature for magenta or green lamps.
For simplifying lamp choice selection, USHIO
uses 20,000K+ as a marketing term for our blue
lamp.
Luminous Flux
Measured in lumens is an industry standard
for measuring the visible light output from
the lamp. Luminous flux measure the photopic
vision of the human eye from approximately
300-700nm. Lumens come into play in a marine
aquarium, since a dim tank does not show off
the marine life as expected. It will make a
difference on what is seen at the bottom of
the tank and how the tank is illuminated in
comparison to the ambient light of the
surrounding room. However, lumens alone
cannot be a
measurement of perceived brightness because
other factors including color temperature
and color rendering come into play. All
metal halide lamps depreciate in lumen value
over time. Because the metal halides used in
the 10,000K lamp are more stable, the
10,000K lamps hold their luminous flux
values over a much longer period than the
14,000K and 20,000K+ lamps and thus require
less lamp changes over time. Out of the box,
the 10,000K and 14,000K lamps have over
twice the luminous flux values as a 20,000K+
lamp and thus you would have to double your
wattage of a 20,000K+ lamp to get the same
visible light output of a 10,000K or 14,000K
lamp.
LUMEN DEPRECIATION

SAMPLE LUMEN DEPRECIATION & KELVIN
PERFORMANCE OVER TIME

Color Shift
USHIO Aqualite™ lamps use a proprietary
mixture of salts and metals to ensure that
color is stable from lamp to lamp out of the
box. Metal halides break down over the life
of the lamp and thus all metal halide lamps
will experience a color and Kelvin shift
near the end of life.
Lamp Life
The median life of metal halide
lamps is statistically determined under
controlled conditions on a 11 hours
on, 1 hour off, cycle. Environmental
factors including the lamp housing,
reflector, power supply, and lamp cooling
will affect lamp life considerably.
All metal halide lamps degrade in light
output and may shift in color over time.
Inferior lamps are easy to spot since
they significantly shift in color and
drop off rapidly in output. The lamp
life rating between different manufacturers
may be the same on paper but performance
over the life of the lamp will tell
you your true cost of ownership. |
 |
USHIO Aqualite™ metal halide lamps utilize
proprietary rare-earth mixtures to provide the
most consistent lamp color over the entire lifetime
of that lamp. Our arc tube forming process and
coatings ensure that light degradation levels
are kept to a minimum. For the best health of
your aquarium and reef system, it is recommended
that you schedule regular lamp changes depending
upon your timing cycles and rated
lamp life. It is normal for metal halide lamps
to stabilize in color and output within 100
hours of “burn in” operation.
Brand new lamps will always produce more light
than lamps near their end of life. Your corals
and fish will need time to adjust to the higher
light levels. It is recommended that when a
lamp is first replaced, that you first raise
the light fixture and then lower it as the lamp
ages.
CRI or Color Rendering Index
CRI is an internationally accepted
system to measure the capability of a light
source to render color naturally. The closer
the number is to 100 the closer that light
source is rendering color like natural
daylight. Fish, coral and plant life will
appear much more true to life under higher
CRI light sources. The CRI of the Aqualite™
10,000K metal halide is higher than the
14,000K and the 20,000K+. We do not measure
the CRI of the 20,000K+ lamp because it is
blue. Although blue lamps like the 20,000K+
would have a poor CRI and low luminous flux
rating, they are appealing to some in the
marine aquarium hobby. That is why when it
comes to marine aquarium use, all
measurements of lighting must be taken into
consideration, color temperature, color
rendering, luminous flux, and most
importantly, spectral distribution and PAR.
Operating/Burn Position
The operating position of the lamp is specified
to provide the proper light output and color.
Changing the lamp operating position can change
the thermal properties of the arc tube during
operation causing some metals or salts to drop
out of the arc stream and thus changing the
color of the lamp.
Timing Cycles
For the health of your fish and reef systems
the lighting system should be turned on at least
12 hours per day. Check with marine biology
sources to determine the proper amount of daylight
hours needed for your specific species. |
 |
Ballasts and Power Supplies
USHIO always recommends ballasts that are UL
recognized for safety and adhere to ANSI
standards. It is extremely critical to match
the proper ANSI coded lamp to the ANSI coded
ballast. Failure to do so will cause
improper lamp ignition, poor color and
spectral performance, and short life. Check
that the operating current of the ballast
and ignition voltage matches the lamp. This
information should be readily available from
any reputable ballast manufacturer. Some
ballasts intentionally overdrive the current
to the lamp in order to push up luminous
flux values on initial tests. The drawback
to this intentional “overdriving” is a
faster lumen depreciation and color shift.
For example: USHIO’s 175W Aqualite™ is a
pulse start lamp. Pulse start type lamps may
ignite and work just fine on a probe start
ballast for a few months; however, as the
lamp ages, the electrodes erode and higher
voltage is needed to start the lamp. The
open circuit voltage provided by probe start
ballasts is not sufficient to ignite a pulse
start lamp. Pulse start lamps like our 175W
Aqualite™ always require an ignitor to keep
the lamp starting throughout its life cycle.
Use Safety Fixture Glass!
Double Ended metal halide lamps are made
of quartz which allows the transmission of
UV wavelengths from the arc tube. It is
mandatory that tempered safety glass be used
with double ended metal halide type
lamps. UV protective glass is required for
any architectural use of Aqualite™ metal
halide lamps where people are directly
exposed to the light.
Single Ended metal halide lamps use a hard
outer glass jacket which reduces UV. USHIO
mandates the use of tempered safety glass
on any fixtures using our Aqualite™ metal
halide lamps. The safety glass not only
reduces UV, but also extends the life of
your lamps and sockets by protecting them
from salt water corrosion. If the outer
glass jacket of the single ended lamps is
cracked or damaged in any way this will
permit UV light exposure and the lamp
should be replaced immediately.
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