metal halide

Question
      I have been looking for a medal halide light to put over my aquarium because my aquarium is tall and regular fluorescent lights can't penetrate very far down. I found a metal halide light at Home Depot for only 10 dollars. I is basically what they have at the petstors, just not in a fancy casing. Do you think it is ok to put this type of light over my aquarium?
      I'm not sure of what color of light it produces but do you know? If it is the wrong spectrium I could balance it out with other full spectrium bulbs since the metal halide light only takes up only a few inches of space.
      I would really like to get this but it is 300 watts. Do you think that would hurt the fish with the intensity. Will it do anything for plants? It comes out to 9.5 watts per gallon with my 55 watt light added on to the 300. Will this work?
Thank-you


Answer
If you aren't keeping aquatic plants, spectrum isn't all that important. If you are keeping plants, then this halide isn't likely to be the right spectrum and may do more harm than good...and 9.5 watts per gallon is quite a bit for plants. I would make sure that the bulb doesn't heat the water markedly. If it does increase water temp, you cannot use it. Temp fluctuations from a light source (night/day) are bad for aquarium inhabitants. Otherwise, it would probably be ok for fish, although I would provide ample places for shade (ie driftwood & caves).
Hope this helps.
Good luck.