Compact Flourescent SCREW IN BULBS

oazanki · 01-21-2004, 02:14 AM

Do you guys think a setup like this will work good.. I am using 2X 27 watt 6500K color temp CF screw in bulbs they are equivelant to 2X100 incandescent bulbs... I am using them over my 30 Gal planted tank.. Its been about a week now... is it too early to judge?

the plants seem to be doing fine so far and I believe they are growing...

Should you see bubbles coming out from the plants when you use a good lighting system?

Wasserpest · 01-21-2004, 04:06 AM

Hi there, welcome to the planted tank!

I don't think you and your plants will be too happy with this setup. Just underneath the bulbs there will be some light, but it will leave you with lots of dark space. Using regular fluorescents or power compacts would be better.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 01-21-2004, 01:43 PM

I believe these lights might work for some low light plants, but growth will be marginal for most plants. The problem is that half of the bulb's light is aimed "inside" the spiral so you lose a lot of that 27 watts (which seems high for a 6500K daylight Screw-In CF - where did you get it?).
Lots of planted tanks do use those CF bulbs, though. You just need to use more of them since so much light is lost to restrike. Three or four would be more like it on your tank and now you're getting into a LOT of heat in that hood!

oazanki · 01-21-2004, 03:48 PM

I ordered the bulbs from 1000bulbs.com

they are very cheap, I believe less that 8 for each, but they get you on the shipping.. I have 3 of them now..

but I found 6500K CF screw in bulbs also at home depot and they were labeled day light bulbs

anyways, I just ordered 4 X 20W GE aqua rays from Dr foster and smith and I will be building a DIY canopy tonight..

I will use 2GE aquarays and I will mix with 2 Hagen bulbs probably aqua glo and life glo2

I think this will be much better.. All I hope for is that the plants will be bubbling now..

Just on a side note, I was using 13Watt CF screw in bulbs (from Home Depot, the really cheapy ones) before I got the 27watts and the plants were producing air bubbles with that and they stopped producing the bubbles when I used the 27W bulbs.. weird isn't it?

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 01-21-2004, 04:07 PM

With the 80 watts of GE and Hagen bulbs on that 30g, you've got a decent shot at seeing some pearling action so long as CO2 and nutrients are all in line.

Goes to show you how much light is lost on those 27w bulbs, eh? That they emit less than half the light into the tank than a normal CF bulb. 13/27=0.48

oazanki · 01-21-2004, 04:14 PM

Thanks Sam,

I also believe the new setup will work much better..

I will post some pics and info on the progress..

01-21-2004, 04:06 AM	#2
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,644	Hi there, welcome to the planted tank! I don't think you and your plants will be too happy with this setup. Just underneath the bulbs there will be some light, but it will leave you with lots of dark space. Using regular fluorescents or power compacts would be better. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

01-21-2004, 01:43 PM	#3
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	I believe these lights might work for some low light plants, but growth will be marginal for most plants. The problem is that half of the bulb's light is aimed "inside" the spiral so you lose a lot of that 27 watts (which seems high for a 6500K daylight Screw-In CF - where did you get it?). Lots of planted tanks do use those CF bulbs, though. You just need to use more of them since so much light is lost to restrike. Three or four would be more like it on your tank and now you're getting into a LOT of heat in that hood! __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

01-21-2004, 04:07 PM	#5
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	With the 80 watts of GE and Hagen bulbs on that 30g, you've got a decent shot at seeing some pearling action so long as CO2 and nutrients are all in line. Goes to show you how much light is lost on those 27w bulbs, eh? That they emit less than half the light into the tank than a normal CF bulb. 13/27=0.48 __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

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01-21-2004, 02:14 AM	#1
oazanki Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 77	Do you guys think a setup like this will work good.. I am using 2X 27 watt 6500K color temp CF screw in bulbs they are equivelant to 2X100 incandescent bulbs... I am using them over my 30 Gal planted tank.. Its been about a week now... is it too early to judge? the plants seem to be doing fine so far and I believe they are growing... Should you see bubbles coming out from the plants when you use a good lighting system?

01-21-2004, 03:48 PM	#4
oazanki Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 77	I ordered the bulbs from 1000bulbs.com they are very cheap, I believe less that 8 for each, but they get you on the shipping.. I have 3 of them now.. but I found 6500K CF screw in bulbs also at home depot and they were labeled day light bulbs anyways, I just ordered 4 X 20W GE aqua rays from Dr foster and smith and I will be building a DIY canopy tonight.. I will use 2GE aquarays and I will mix with 2 Hagen bulbs probably aqua glo and life glo2 I think this will be much better.. All I hope for is that the plants will be bubbling now.. Just on a side note, I was using 13Watt CF screw in bulbs (from Home Depot, the really cheapy ones) before I got the 27watts and the plants were producing air bubbles with that and they stopped producing the bubbles when I used the 27W bulbs.. weird isn't it?

01-21-2004, 04:14 PM	#6
oazanki Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 77	Thanks Sam, I also believe the new setup will work much better.. I will post some pics and info on the progress..