New, Panasonic EFD Series CF Bulbs - AWESOME

[GDominy]

I thought I would share this info as I have started trying some new bulbs that have hit the market.

First off, I'd like to comment on the Panasonic EFD series of Compact Flourescent bulbs. These are screw in type bulbs for replacing standard incandescent bulbs (as many of you know, this is how I have set up my 22 gallon tank).

I noticed a few key features right away that set these bulbs apart from many others I have tried.

1.) Approved for totally enclosed fixtures
2.) The widest temperature range I have seen for bulbs of this type (-30C to +50C)
3.) High CRI (88)
4.) NICE colour (5000k, very bright white)
5.) High Lumen Count
6.) Most importantly, they fit into incandescent aquarium canopies with NO modifications!

I have purchased 2 different sizes of these bulbs to try them in different setups. The 14 watt bulbs are truly an incredible product. The integrated ballast is slender enough I was able to retrofit the 7.5 gallon tank http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=816 (a 5.5 gallon would be possible, and I believe the 5 gallon minibows from all glass would be ok) with these without any changes to the original hagen canopy.

The 23 watt bulbs were equally impressive, and fit in both 10 gallon and 20 gallon canopies while providing full light coverage of the tank.

The only downside to this series of bulb is the cost, roughly 1.5 times the cost of a cheaper bulb. Now, that being said, these bulbs last considereably longer because they are designed for high-heat situations.

If you want to retrofit that old canopy you have laying around, this is definately a bulb you should consider.

[Buck]

Ive never heard of these bulbs...they sound like Nano heaven to me...

[GDominy]

They are truly excellent bulbs. I can't recomend them enough. I'll post a link if I can find em on Panasonic's web site.

[GDominy]

[T-Bone]

Hi! I was just wondering where you picked up the Panasonic EFD's... I noticed your in BC, which is good since I'm in Canada too. (Ottawa) It just may help me find them!!

[GDominy]

I bought mine from a lighting supply house. You should have a few in your area. I have not seen these at places like Wallmart or Home Depot yet, so you'll have to shop around, but it will be worth the effort.

[GulfCoastAquarian]

I'm gonna have to check these out! I'm using regular 15w 4100k CF's on my 15g quarantine tank right now and I'd like to move towards something with less output in the yellow/green spectrum. Phillips makes a great bulb just like this one, outdoor/indoor use in enclosed locations, daylight spectrum (5000K), etc. but the bulbs cost $15 each. Hopefully these are a lot less!

[GDominy]

http://www.panasonic.ca/English/appl...ghting/efd.htm

Check it out, I finally foudn the stats page. Great product, its been a few weeks and I cant express how much I love these bulbs.

[GulfCoastAquarian]

I went to Home Depot to look for some of these Panasonic bulbs and instead I foung some 6500K Compact Fluorescent 15w regular base bulbs for $7!!! I picked up a set and put them on my 15g tank and they look amazing! Very bright bluish daylight look. Would be awesome for a reef but the plants have responded far more than I thought they would. The Sunset Hygro near the surface is the brightest pink/magenta I've ever seen it be!

I'll get more info on them tomorrow. I'll snap some pictures of the bulbs, etc.

[ginnie5]

they really do seem to be doing a great job. And dh says they will last much longer than regular fluorescents. I tend to believe him too, he's right on everything else :lol:






Ginnie,
Who has a bumper sticker that says:
When I married Mr Right I didn't know his first name was Always!

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Snapped a picture of the packaging for these bulbs in case anyone is trying to find them. And I just noticed that these aren't 15w bulbs, but 19w bulbs. So I now have 2.5wpg over my 15g quarantine tank with a totaly cash outlay of $14 for bulbs and $5 for a few outdoor floodlight sockets.

[Work In Progress]

Was just browsing through the board when I noticed the pic of these bulbs.
When I was surfing the net, in search of good canopy and lighting DIYs, I noticed a full size hood for like a 29 gallon or something, done with those bulbs and some inside out potato chip bags. Or at least very similar bulb to those.
They said they plants pearl like crazy!
I was wondering if anyone else has seen a full size canopy done with them before and their ideas on it.

Kelly

[sunnysmom]

so does this mean you just do a straight swap with the incandescent lights? I know, probably a dumb question, but I've wanted a couple mini-bows and won't buy them because it's incandescent. How much does the new cf heat the tank? Any warmer than the NO florescent on my 7gal?

Stacey

[kor4ever]

so does this mean you just do a straight swap with the incandescent lights?

Yes.

Felix

[GulfCoastAquarian]

The heat is definitely pretty high. You'll either need to cut some more cooling slots in the light strip or add some kind of fan.