I have another lighting question

[Cobaltskyy]

Ok so $ problems and I don't have enough for the other light I wanted. Can I just get a stronger bulb for the fixture I have? :-/

 

[BigJim]

If it's an incandescent fixture, a CFL is a cheap upgrade. If it's a fluorescent fixture, there's very little chance you'll be able to just upgrade the bulb. You'll most likely need a new ballast.

 

[Cobaltskyy]

What's the difference. Mine has two little metal prongs I guess its fluorescent in my 30 tank on my two ten gallons they screw in....two are clear and two are florescent I think.....

 

[Cobaltskyy]

What does cfl mean

 

[Mr. Limpet]

What does cfl mean

CFL= compact florescent light. That's for your screw in light fixture.

As for the long tube fluorescent light, you can change the Kelvin rating, but the wattage has to stay the same.

 

[Cobaltskyy]

Another noob question sorry what's the difference btwn the kelvin and watts?

 

[fort384]

Kelvin is used to describe color temperature... I.e. What color the light appears.

Watt is used as a unit of energy... 1 Joule per second. I.e how powerful it is.

 

[Cobaltskyy]

So what fluorescent bulb would u recommend then for a 30gal long...I want some low to mediums light plants no CO2

 

[Mr. Limpet]

So what fluorescent bulb would u recommend then for a 30gal long...I want some low to mediums light plants no CO2

You need to check you fixture and see what wattage of bulb you can run (ie 17w, 20w, 24w etc). This can't be change without replacing the ballast. IMO a 6700K is what you should get.

 

[Cobaltskyy]

Ok I just looked its F18T8

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Ok I just looked its F18T8

So your fixture is 18watts and 24" bulb?

 

[Cobaltskyy]

I think so

 

[Mr. Limpet]

I think so

What does the label say on your bulb, f18t8?

 

[Cobaltskyy]

Yes...

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Yes...

Other places to look at is Lowe's or HD, they have good prices and the bulbs are the same, just take yours with you and look for 18w, 6700K. They just don't say aqua on it and you're spared the 250% mark-up lol.

 

[BigJim]

Unfortunately you're stuck with your current bulb wattage on your fluorescent fixture. Does your fixture have a single bulb or two bulbs? If it has two bulbs, you can grow low-light plants and probably med-low plants also.

 

[Cobaltskyy]

1 bulb.... im gonna take Mr. Limpets advice! Thanks all!!

 

[Cobaltskyy]

Tried home depot for the T8 18w 6700K. No luck there....will try loses or maybe sears? Idk

 

[Cobaltskyy]

They had an aquarium/plant bulb but it was the same thing I have

 

[Cobaltskyy]

*Lowe's