incandescent to CF upgrade

I highly doubt that the 20w one will hurt anything electrically, because flourescents dont draw nearly as much electricity while running as an incandescent....just right at start up the ballast draws a strong current to get the light started.......so I'd say go for it.
 
Let me recap the opinions so I can make a decision today when i go to the lfs....

10 watt = 1 vote
20 watt = 1 vote


Hummmm... I dont this is not helping. How about I give more information on these bulbs and its use.

The tank is a marineland 5 gallon hex with 1 male beta in it. The 15 watt incandecent bulb provides 3 watts per gallon and IMO is not very good light.

The Corallife 10 watt SBCF provides 50 watts worth of incandecent light in either 50/50 or daylight. That would be 10 watts per gallon

The Corallife 20 watt SBCF provides 100 watts worth of incandecent light or 20 watts per gallon.

Now what do you think?
 
I think the watts-per-gallon rules assume fluorescent bulbs. Even though a 20 watt CF might put out as much visible light as a 100 watt incandescent, it still only counts as 20 watts. I wish there were a more consistant measurement. That being said, either the 10 or 20 watt CF should be an improvement over the incandescent.
 
ok especially on this tank the watt's per gallon rule is kinda out the window, because Hex tanks are usually deeper than rectangular tanks of the same size, and the depth is what matters when figuring out light...also what spectrum is the light. I would go with the 20w CF, I'm running a 20w CF over a 20g tall, just fot wisteria and anacharis, and it works quite well. And yes usually, when you do use the wpg rule it is for flourescent wattage not incandescent wattage.
 
Well, I purchased the 10 watt 50/50 variety and the increase in light and the blue spectrum is a hhhhhuuuuuuggggggeeeeeeee improvement.

Thanks for your input. As a side note with the Marineland Eclipse 5 gal hex...

They are now providing the 10 watt bulb with the kit. I also found out that the bulb gromment can be turned around for the CF and still keep the socket moisture free.

Best lighting upgrade Ive done on an eclipse. The 65 watt CF on my Eclipse 3 gives great light but the heat difference over the 18 watt is significant and seems to affect the eclipse housing. Like the light, hate the heat.
 
I decided if the 10 watt was fine, I would not have to return it.
The upgrade I did with my eclipse 3 was a lot hotter and left me a little concerned. That was the whole reason I was requesting info...

My LFS just got in the xmas stock and it I was able to find out the new ones come with 10 watt...

I was leaning toward the 20 watt, but Im happy with what I got.

Thanks for your input.
 
bartman said:
I have a silly question.... If I have a 15 watt incandescent bulb can I use the CF 20 watt since it produces less heat, or do I need to use the 10 watt...
Click to expand...

Sure you can do that... :)

the important thing that you've done are:

#1) you have save electric bill consumption by 10%

#2) those compact fluorescent bulb that you used does not produce "heat" as compared to the incandescent bulb.

Now if you can find a CFl that is around 10watts or lower, thats a lot better, and works brighter
 
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