Power-saver florescent for incandescent sockets

[Wippit Guud]

I'm sure we've all seen them by now, really twisted looking lightbulbs that are actually flourescent tubes, that supposedly last five years.

I'm gonna end up with the ex's fish tank (she was only in it for me, apparantly), it's a 10g with an incandescent hood. Anyone know if one of these long-life bulbs would be better or worse for plants?

[mogurnda]

You'll definitely get a lot more usable watts out of the screw-in fluorescents. You may have to hunt around a little to find a color temperature you like, but it will be worth it.

[djlen]

They work fine, provided they fit into your hood. You won't have any trouble length-wise, but they may not fit width-wise.

Len

[kveeti]

djlen's right about fitting width-wise. I found the twisty ones are just too wide... but if you can find the straight ones (skinny "U" tubes), they seem to have a thinner base.

[anonapersona]

I have two 10 gallon hood with incandescent sockets. In one, there is not a reflector, the 19w daylight spirals work fine in that one (from HD, $8?). The other has a reflector, the spirals do not work, the u-tubes from Walmart do -- in the fish/pet section, $10, 10w each.

the 19 w are better, due to wattage no doubt!

[djlen]

Speaking of reflectors......
For years I have used any type of aluminum or mirrors I could get my hands on to use in my lighting to improve the quality of light going into the aquarium.
I recently read somewhere, that plain white reflects as well or better than many of the home made contraptions that many of us add to our lighting. Has anyone done any research on this and what were the findings?
I just set up some lights on my little tank with just the white plastic as a reflector and to me it looks really bright and the plants are doing very well.

Feedback?
Or should I make another thread out of this......I don't want to hijack the thread.

Len

[kveeti]

I don't think it's really hijacking the thread... but somebody who might know might not read this thread because of the title, so it might warrant its own.

I have read that, too (about the white)... I think it was more than just a passing comment... I will go through my myriad of links and see if I can find it.

Edit - Links:
This wasn't the original one I was thinking of (can't seem to find it), but a very good one nonetheless, he does experiments with different reflectors:

http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/lights-wozniak.html

[Aquarius0015]

I replaced the incandescent light bulb originally in my MiniBow with one of the screw in full spectrum fluorescents. The bulb was sold at Wal-Mart for around $5 in the fish section. It had two skinny 'tubes.' Each is bent back at the end forming a stretched out U-shape. The overall effect is somewhat of a hybrid between the traditional straight tube and the new spiral type. Maybe it's worth a trip to Wal-Mart.... maybe not.

[Captain Hook]

I haven't used those little fluorescent bulbs but I've heard good things about them. They are actually considered compact fluorescents aren't they?

Also Len regarding reflectors, I just built a canopy with a dual bulb shoplight and used a mirrored aluminum reflector I got from a hydroponics store. It was used but still in good shape and got it for a low price. Not sure how much of a difference there would be between that and a white reflector. I am assuming what I have now is better but not sure.

[DIYMatt]

I believe the screw-in floursecents are considered compact flourescents. I use the twist bulbs on ten gallons that have the strip light and glass hood and they work well. They don't fit in the tens that have the one-peice plastic hood lid thing. I made them fit but I had to modify it.

On the reflector issue. I have not read any aquarium specific things about what type of refelctor is better. But, I did a few years back with regards to indoor gardening. I can't find the info *surprise*, but I do remember that flat(not gloss) white paint was a pretty good reflector, better than a mirror. But, not as good as Mylar and a few other things, but the difference was minimal. If I remember correctly, the shape of the reflector played a big part in the efficency of it.

If anyone finds any other info let me know also!

[tricksterpup]

Wiiput
I actually use these bulbs on 4 of my tanks. I had at first bought the first one from the LFS, (they were using one in a 5 gal Marineland Hex) it was a Coral life bulb. it is not bad, i have it in a 2.5 minibow with some crypts in it. And i have the walmart brand bulbs in 2 of my 10s and a 5 gallon tank and they do really well. Not a bad little bulb for under $5. I think the actual price is $4.99. Plants do ok in these tanks, but i would be safe and stick with low light plants.



jim

[Booswalia]

I had no problem fitting two of those compact flourescent bulbs into a standard hood that normally takes the screw in incadescent bulbs. The bulbs screw in fine but it doesn't sit real flat, so I just have it sitting on two little pieces of wood to hold it up about a 1/5 inch off the glass.

Got them at Home Hardware right here on PEI, Wippit.

Two 13 watt bulbs over a ten gallon tank. The only problem is the spread of light. It is kind of restricted to only the centre.