Tell me why this is stupid

[San Raphael Catfish]

This reflector with bulbs in 70.00 dollars on line and is supposed to be 1000 watts. --
Flashpoint Cool Light 4 -16" Reflector with Four 55W Fluorescent Bulbs, 1000 Watt Equivalent


I have seen CFL bulbs with 5500k color and 45 watts. That would be 180 watts. I have seen 5500k lights as being appropriate for certain corals.

Why would this be stupid for a low cost solution for lighting a beginning reef tank?

SRC <><

 

[San Raphael Catfish]

Personally I would love for it to NOT be stupid and a viable way to light my tank for success.

 

[obscurereef]

That's the first time I've seen that. Wouldn't grow corals because it's a 5500 K light so for corals the kelvin range is usually 10,000 to 20,000. It's more about the par though. It could work for macroalgae though.

 

[San Raphael Catfish]

So the problem is finding right bulbs?

 

[obscurereef]

Reef capable bulbs like par 38 LEDs that would fit in that socket (I think) are going to cost about $100. CFL bulbs won't work. It would have to be a small cube aquarium or else the light probably won't spread out..be evenly dispersed. Even then there would be so much light in that space that it could be too much.

 

[Phranque]

That's the first time I've seen that. Wouldn't grow corals because it's a 5500 K light so for corals the kelvin range is usually 10,000 to 20,000. It's more about the par though. It could work for macroalgae though.

+1

It's not about the amount of light, but the quality..... proper output of certain color temps & wavelengths. PAR is a measure of Photosynthetic Active Radiation, which is the amount of "usable" light for the corals. Theoretically, you could put a hundred of these bulbs above your tank, making it so bright you'd almost need welders goggles to see into it, and still not have enough PAR to keep a mushroom, where a 2-bulb T5 HO could do the trick.....

 

[LaWoWee]

That's the first time I've seen that. Wouldn't grow corals because it's a 5500 K light so for corals the kelvin range is usually 10,000 to 20,000. It's more about the par though. It could work for macroalgae though.

I think 6500k can be paired with 10000k right?