screw in CP for 150? - Aquarium Advice

Jman17H · 12-22-2006, 09:32 AM

I just bought a 150 breeder tank that I am going to heavily plant and I am trying to determine the best method for lighting. I have a 48" 260 watt aqualight and 2-24" 65 watt aqualights that I am going to use but I was thinking of adding either a 2-strip of regular flouresent or creating a line of maybe 8-10 screw-in CPs. Does anyone have experience using the CP's above such a big tank and will they penetrate the water enough to make a difference. I will either use a mirror or mettalic tape on the top of the hood to get the most of the light. The tank is 20" tall.

travis simonson · 12-22-2006, 12:50 PM

I can't say that I've used screw-in CF bulbs before but I do know that they are not nearly as efficient as strip-type CF lights because of their coiled design. Hopefully some of our members here who have used screw-in CF bulbs will be able to comment more on their usefulness.

mr funktastic · 12-22-2006, 12:53 PM

pretty much useless for that size of tank in my opinion. they dont penetrate very well an generate to much heat. you are much better off buying a cheap strip light. another downside to these bulbs is the k rating. sometimes its tricky to find the 6500 k and even when u do they are a very yellow colour and not very appealing. if u want to go heavily planted i would look into a source of light that is going to penetrate the tank better. maybe some HO T-5?

Jman17H · 12-28-2006, 12:54 AM

Yeah, less work and better results so along with my aqualights I am going to use a 24" dual strip light and a 48" dual strip light. That saves me for hours of work to create a strip of scrw-in CP's anyways. It is now mostly setup with my CO2 regualtor in the mall and some more lighting to add.

SparKy697 · 12-28-2006, 01:01 AM

Also, most screw in cf lamps are not rated for inverted operation. Even the ones that are have a much shorter life span when installed in that orientation. The heat accumulates in the base where the ballast is and cooks it a little faster.

Jman17H · 12-28-2006, 01:10 AM

What do you mean by inverted? Which way would the screw-in portion be pointing?

If by inverted you mean horizontal with the screw-in part facing towards a wall? If so I guess I may need to rethink how I just replaced my bathroom lights with CP's?

SparKy697 · 12-28-2006, 01:42 AM

I mean with the base up. I had to purchase a couple hundred of these for work and when I was ordering I had to specify the orientation in which they were to be installed. Base down, base up, or horizontal. Each one gave a different life span.

Base down was the longest life, Horiz. was the next longest, and base up was the shortest.

Jman17H · 12-28-2006, 08:35 AM

So I should cut that 9 yr lifespan from the box in half for all the bulbs I have in fixtures coming straight down from the ceiling. I guess that is still better that regular bulbs and saves electricity thus makes my dent in environmentalism.

12-22-2006, 09:32 AM	#1
Jman17H Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 136	screw in CP for 150? I just bought a 150 breeder tank that I am going to heavily plant and I am trying to determine the best method for lighting. I have a 48" 260 watt aqualight and 2-24" 65 watt aqualights that I am going to use but I was thinking of adding either a 2-strip of regular flouresent or creating a line of maybe 8-10 screw-in CPs. Does anyone have experience using the CP's above such a big tank and will they penetrate the water enough to make a difference. I will either use a mirror or mettalic tape on the top of the hood to get the most of the light. The tank is 20" tall.

12-22-2006, 12:50 PM	#2
travis simonson Hortipath Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,038 Images: 32	I can't say that I've used screw-in CF bulbs before but I do know that they are not nearly as efficient as strip-type CF lights because of their coiled design. Hopefully some of our members here who have used screw-in CF bulbs will be able to comment more on their usefulness. __________________ “There is something in the quality of a good translation that can never be captured in the original.” -William Gibson

12-28-2006, 01:01 AM	#5
SparKy697 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 1,213 Images: 3	Also, most screw in cf lamps are not rated for inverted operation. Even the ones that are have a much shorter life span when installed in that orientation. The heat accumulates in the base where the ballast is and cooks it a little faster. __________________ -Joe Click "My Info" for tank information. My 55g Tank Log Read About The Nitrogen Cycle Read About The Fishless Cycle

12-28-2006, 01:42 AM	#7
SparKy697 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 1,213 Images: 3	I mean with the base up. I had to purchase a couple hundred of these for work and when I was ordering I had to specify the orientation in which they were to be installed. Base down, base up, or horizontal. Each one gave a different life span. Base down was the longest life, Horiz. was the next longest, and base up was the shortest. __________________ -Joe Click "My Info" for tank information. My 55g Tank Log Read About The Nitrogen Cycle Read About The Fishless Cycle

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12-22-2006, 12:53 PM	#3
mr funktastic Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: alliston, ON Posts: 2,220 Images: 17	pretty much useless for that size of tank in my opinion. they dont penetrate very well an generate to much heat. you are much better off buying a cheap strip light. another downside to these bulbs is the k rating. sometimes its tricky to find the 6500 k and even when u do they are a very yellow colour and not very appealing. if u want to go heavily planted i would look into a source of light that is going to penetrate the tank better. maybe some HO T-5?

12-28-2006, 12:54 AM	#4
Jman17H Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 136	Yeah, less work and better results so along with my aqualights I am going to use a 24" dual strip light and a 48" dual strip light. That saves me for hours of work to create a strip of scrw-in CP's anyways. It is now mostly setup with my CO2 regualtor in the mall and some more lighting to add.

12-28-2006, 01:10 AM	#6
Jman17H Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 136	What do you mean by inverted? Which way would the screw-in portion be pointing? If by inverted you mean horizontal with the screw-in part facing towards a wall? If so I guess I may need to rethink how I just replaced my bathroom lights with CP's?

12-28-2006, 08:35 AM	#8
Jman17H Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 136	So I should cut that 9 yr lifespan from the box in half for all the bulbs I have in fixtures coming straight down from the ceiling. I guess that is still better that regular bulbs and saves electricity thus makes my dent in environmentalism.

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