screw in flourescent bulb questions

[Toyman321]

OK…. I am running a 5g planted tank with 2 bulbs, one is a screw in fluorescent 10w 50/50 and the other is a screw in household type fluorescent spiral bulb, both bulbs were just laying around so that’s what I threw in there.

My question is this, is there any advantage or disadvantage with between running a 50/50 bulb and a “all glass” fluorescent screw in type? Also the screw in spiral bulb that I’m running is a 23w but I have heard I should be running at least 6500k though I am not sure how to check this, would I be better off replacing that 23w spiral bulb with a 10w all glass?

[anonapersona]

There are daylight spiral flourescents, I use that in my 10 gallon. I have the 10watt Walmart aquarium u-tube flourescents in another 10 gallon Q tank that holds a few plants and it seems dim to me. But 2 of those over 5 gallons might be just right. The Wamart bulbs are about $5 each.

If the look of the bulbs is pleasing to you, then it will be fine, but you may want to use two of the same bulbs just for balance. What is 50/50?

[cich]

I saw a bulb called 50/50 as well. I looked closer, and it means that 50% is one type of light, and 50% is something else. Maybe differend temperatures, etc. Two tubes, each one type.

--cich

[Mini4x]

I would possibly ditch the 50/50.. they are mostly for reef tanks with the actinic tube (one 10,000k "U" and one blue actinic "U"), for plants you'd be better off with just a 2nd spiral bulb, try for some 6500k ones, they have a 'brighter' light IMHO. I am building a 10 gallon also and am going to use this same setup.


Description
Designed for use where space is limited but powerful lighting is desired.

A single ten watt Mini Compact Fluorescent gives the same output as a 50 watt incandescent bulb.

Self-ballasted, low operating temperature bulb fits a standard medium base.

High-intensity output 50% 10,000K daylight and 50% actinic 03 blue light enhances fresh and saltwater aquariums.

Technical Information
Caution: When used on saltwater tanks, ensure that tank is covered. Use in 120V 60Hz grounded circuits only. Always handle bulb by the plastic base when removing or installing.

Made in China.

[ninoboy]

Many of the spiral CP screw in bulb available for common use are under 4000K. It will give somewhat orange hue (people say that it promotes too much algae). There are some that 6000K+ but I personally haven't found one yet except those specifically made for Aquarium use. I read some thread before in this forum about those spiral bulbs but couldn't locate it now.

[Mini4x]

Once again www.1000bulbs.com has every bulb I have loooked for..

6500k screw ins..
13w
http://www.1000bulbs.com/product.php?product=4530
18w
http://www.1000bulbs.com/product.php?product=6333
23w
http://www.1000bulbs.com/product.php?product=6334

[ninoboy]

Thanks Mini4x, those are the ones I look for.

[anonapersona]

There are 19 watt daylight spectrum spiral flourescents at Home Depot ~$8, sometimes too wide for hoods with reflectors, but you can remove the reflector and paint the inside white. Walmart has 10 watt u-tube screw-in flourescents that fit without removing the reflector, and a nice spectrum ~$5

[malkore]

FYI not all wal-marts carry that bulb...seems to be regional. You'd find it in the pet dept...not in hardware with the other light bulbs.

[Toyman321]

will running a higher temp K bulb help prevent algae growth?

[Mini4x]

I seem to have less algae with my OD'd 6500's than I did with normal auqaglo bulbs. Maybe it's just becasuse my plants might actually be growing now.

[Toninho]

I have a 20 gal tank that I set up last December. I feel it is lightly planted and after about a month I had a problem of green water. I built the hood with a rain gutter and used 2 screw in bulbs (23 W each). Apparently it was too much light so I started to reduce the watts and finally I am using 2x8 W and 6400ºK. I bought them at local Home Mart for the equivalent of $4 USD each. I have no more algae, water is crystal clear and plants are growing OK (I had to get rid of vallisneria since it was growing all over the place). I am using Nutrafin Plant Gro on a weekly basis and doing weekly water changes (about 25-30%).

I would say, if you can get those bulbs, use them.

Regards,

Toninho

[LiquidEric]

Originally Posted by Mini4x

I seem to have less algae with my OD'd 6500's than I did with normal auqaglo bulbs.

Do you mean Hagen's Aquaglo bulbs? Because they are actually 18,000k I believe. I bet you are right in saying that it is the brighter light that is making your plants grow more than your algae.