changing incandescent to fluor...?

C

Canuck2005

AC Members
Jul 11, 2005
30
0
0
Eastern Ontario
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone has changed an incandescent hood into fluorescent by using the screw-in CF bulbs from say, Home Depot. I'm told it can be done, so I was hoping for a bulb suggestion or something? Thanks. I want to be able to grow plants in my tank, and I can't do that with incandescent right?
 
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It depends on the plants. In my ten gal i have those bulbs and i am growing some sort of anubias, some bulb plants, and najas grass perfectly fine. They are actually quite healthy. I wouldn't get hard-to-grow plants for that tank though, the lighting isn't right for it.
 
J9e8r6m said:
It depends on the plants.
Click to expand...
Completely agree. First determine what plants you want,see if they are compatible (low light plants may not do well with high light plants). Then.... look for a light. You probably could (not sure) with an incadescent light - but CF's will be much more effecient.

Yes it can be done - easily too. Just plug and play. Just be careful because the screw in CF bulbs can be quite wide thus making your light fixture lopsided.

Also, dont be afraid to buy the CF's online as well. Sometimes HD or Lowes do not carry what you want.

You may want try to look for color (Kelvin) as well. Normal soft lights are too yellow IMO on the tank. If you can, get "Daylight" CF's - or a Kelvin near 6500-6700K.

Good Luck

Aries
 
I have a screw in cf designed for one of the eclipse filters (something like 11watts,) on half of a 10g. I planted that half and left the other half under incandescent lighting with a network of caves for the dwarf cichlids in the tank (it gives a very interesting effect, like sulight filtered through trees almost) I have java fern, anubius, and crypts growing well (no surprise), and my Rotala Indica needs trimmed almost weekly (this is the first non-lowlight plant that I have ever been able to grow with my brown thumb). They are growing in flourite. Dispite the small size and low stocking level it is my favorite tank. I like it so much, when I moved I plooped (no pun intended) it right in front of my toilet. Am I freak? yes...yes I am.
 
Home Depot doesn't carry high enough color temperature. With their typical CFL's, your tank will look yellow. Order online and stay above 4000 Kelvin. The "Medium base mini-spirals" fit as a replacement in most light hoods. Other than mini-spirals, the bulb is too big.
 
Here is the type I just bought:
Mini spiral 6400K 15W

Note, typical CFL's are about 2.3-inch diameter. These are too big for typical light hoods with screw-in medium fixtures. They only leave enough room for the tube-looking incandescents (some with a little plastic splash cover) which don't produce enough light and get WAY too hot. The one I listed is 1.6-inch diameter.
 
thanks everyone...the tank is only 10 gallons, fitting 2 bulbs. if I order online, how will I know what will fit? and what wattage do I buy? I only want a low maintenance tank, no heavy duty co2 or anything. :)
 
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