are aquarium light bulbs different from the house light bulb - Aquarium Advice

Bubble_B0y · 06-22-2006, 09:53 PM

are aquarium light bulbs different from the standard house light bulb that you might have in the kitchen, bedroom, living etc.....
???

HannahJ · 06-22-2006, 10:03 PM

Well, a lot of that depends on the aquarium, and on the house. Most houses are going to be using incandescent or NO fluorescent lighting, and a lot of simple aquariums will be, too. Some houses, my own included, use the PC fluorescent lighting, just because it is more efficient and the bulbs last longer. The only time you're going to be seeing drastic differences in lighting is when you start looking at planted tanks. Those need a lot of wattage so that the plants can grow, and so they use high wattage VHO or PC or even ODNO fluorescent lighting, which you probably won't see in your average household.

Largely, the main difference you will see between aquarium lighting and household lighting is the colour temperature (measured in Kelvin degrees) of the light. Sunlight will be 5,000K+ and this is the range you see for lights in planted aquariums. In a household, though, thoe lights would look unnaturally blue, and so household lights will be in the range of 2500-5000K, which is a lot gentler (not to mention more flattering) on the eyes.

I hope that's helped.

tropicfishman · 06-22-2006, 10:11 PM

I've used regular old 18" flourescent tubes that we use in the kitchen as back up bulbs before when my good bulbs have went out

Bubble_B0y · 06-22-2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HannahJ

Well, a lot of that depends on the aquarium, and on the house. Most houses are going to be using incandescent or NO fluorescent lighting, and a lot of simple aquariums will be, too. Some houses, my own included, use the PC fluorescent lighting, just because it is more efficient and the bulbs last longer. The only time you're going to be seeing drastic differences in lighting is when you start looking at planted tanks. Those need a lot of wattage so that the plants can grow, and so they use high wattage VHO or PC or even ODNO fluorescent lighting, which you probably won't see in your average household.

Largely, the main difference you will see between aquarium lighting and household lighting is the colour temperature (measured in Kelvin degrees) of the light. Sunlight will be 5,000K+ and this is the range you see for lights in planted aquariums. In a household, though, thoe lights would look unnaturally blue, and so household lights will be in the range of 2500-5000K, which is a lot gentler (not to mention more flattering) on the eyes.

I hope that's helped.

VERY HELPFUL !!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks !!!!!

HannahJ · 06-22-2006, 10:45 PM

I'm glad I helped! I just wanted to clarify that ODNO = over-driven NO fluorescent lighting, which refers to when the budget-conscious expert does some DIY work to increase the output of a NO light to more like a PC light. (It's not recommended for the novice, for obvious reasons.)

06-22-2006, 09:53 PM	#1
Bubble_B0y Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 762	are aquarium light bulbs different from the house light bulb are aquarium light bulbs different from the standard house light bulb that you might have in the kitchen, bedroom, living etc..... ???

06-22-2006, 10:11 PM	#3
tropicfishman Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,890	I've used regular old 18" flourescent tubes that we use in the kitchen as back up bulbs before when my good bulbs have went out __________________ I love my clown loaches and red tail shark!!! lol

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06-22-2006, 10:03 PM	#2
HannahJ Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: College Station, Texas Posts: 168	Well, a lot of that depends on the aquarium, and on the house. Most houses are going to be using incandescent or NO fluorescent lighting, and a lot of simple aquariums will be, too. Some houses, my own included, use the PC fluorescent lighting, just because it is more efficient and the bulbs last longer. The only time you're going to be seeing drastic differences in lighting is when you start looking at planted tanks. Those need a lot of wattage so that the plants can grow, and so they use high wattage VHO or PC or even ODNO fluorescent lighting, which you probably won't see in your average household. Largely, the main difference you will see between aquarium lighting and household lighting is the colour temperature (measured in Kelvin degrees) of the light. Sunlight will be 5,000K+ and this is the range you see for lights in planted aquariums. In a household, though, thoe lights would look unnaturally blue, and so household lights will be in the range of 2500-5000K, which is a lot gentler (not to mention more flattering) on the eyes. I hope that's helped.

06-22-2006, 10:45 PM	#5
HannahJ Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: College Station, Texas Posts: 168	I'm glad I helped! I just wanted to clarify that ODNO = over-driven NO fluorescent lighting, which refers to when the budget-conscious expert does some DIY work to increase the output of a NO light to more like a PC light. (It's not recommended for the novice, for obvious reasons.)