Idea for a CF hood.

[William]

I was just curious, I use those CF bulbs that go into a regular screw socket of conventional lights in my planted 10gal and got to thinking..


Could I wire just like... 4 or 6 of those socket to a wood hood and throw 6 of those CF bulbs [ 10watts per bulb ] and viola, have a 60watt hood?

 

[loganj]

You could do that but I think a pair of 32w PC's running on a Sylvania Quicktronic or Advance Electronic ballast would be better. It really wouldn't cost much to set that up.

 

[astride13]

A Workhorse 3 is less than $25.00 and the 32 watt PC bulb is less than $20.00. You throw in some sockets and shipping and you are at about $75.00.

On the other hand, you can get the 10 watters for around $8.00 each. With sockets you are lucky to finish up under $50.00.

The light doesn't spread as well from the 10 watters. You will need to replace the bulbs with the built in ballasts every year. I think for the small price difference, you should go with the pair of 32w.

 

[William]

Their 4 dollars what I get them, plant growth bulbs to. :\ And I already have 3 sockets laying around I can salvage..


can you point me to a site that has a Sylvania Quicktronuic, AEB, or workhorse 3?

 

[astride13]

I buy my DIY lighting stuff at http://www.reefgeek.com. They have the Workhorse 3.