halogen lighting

[PHISH]

I was wondering about this type of lighting for a planted tank. I was in Target and saw the double ended replacement bulbs in the lighting section. They claim to have a natural white light but no other values ( k?) and they were in the range of 150-300-400 watts, could these be used as say pendant fixtures over a tank with the correct DIY hood??? Something similar to a Halide fixture?? Thanks for any input you might have!!

steve

[TKOS]

I don't know the K value of halogens and I am curious to find out as well. I do know that they tend to throw a lot of heat and they generally use a lot more electricity then flourescents.

[29gallonsteve]

Halogen lighting is basically an incandescent bulb that is 50% more efficient.

I do not recommend...here is why:

The amount heat they put off is very high
The color is still too yellow for the plants
The temp color (or K) is very low

Thanks,
Steve

[125gJoe]

Steve is right...

Link: K of Halogens (http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/ElaineDevora.shtml)

5,000K or 5,500K is about the minimum for an aquarium..

[mogurnda]

Steve said it well, but here's another way of putting it: you get less usable light per watt, by a longshot. Almost anything is better, except old-fashioned incandescent bulbs.

[PHISH]

thanks for the input... I figured it would be too good to be true. A DIY 400 watt fixture for roughly $50.00 would be amazing. I knew there had to be a reason you didn't see more people talking about it and/or using it. Thanks again everyone..

steve

[mogurnda]

Yeah, according to this analysis (http://www.aquabotanic.com/lightcompare.htm), you would get the equivalent of about 100 watts of compact fluorescent light with your 400 watt DIY. Plus, for no extra charge, lots of heat.