CF replacement bulbs

[krap101]

I was looking at the cost of bulbs, and it seems like it would cost almost as much to replace the bulbs than to buy a new light? I have one actinic and one 10k in my light, and once they go out, would it be better to switch to t5? (I know actinic doesn't do anything for freshwater)

 

[jrp1588]

where are you looking to buy your bulbs? Where can you find a new fixture for the same price as the replacement bulbs? t5's are better, but since you already have a PC fixture I'd hold onto it. Catalina Aquarium has some good prices on bulbs.

 

[krap101]

Hmm the price jumped dramatically. I bought my light for around $40-50, but the price for the same light (newer version) is 80$. I searched around a little more and I found 4x for 35$, but when I first started looking (ebay) bulbs were coming out for around 30$ each.

How many t5's would you need (normal or ho) to keep up with 1 65w cf?

 

[bs6749]

What size PC/CF bulbs do you need? The most commonly recommended one for say a 24" 65W bulb is the GE 9325K bulb that goes for ~$10 at Lowes.

T5's are about 1.75 times as efficient as NO (normal output) bulbs, which the "1 watt per gallon" rule was based. PC/CF bulbs are about 1.35 times as efficient as NO bulbs. With that in mind, you would need approximately 75% of the wattage of a PC/CF bulb in a T5 bulb to be as efficient as a PC/CF bulb. So for example, instead of having a 48" 130W PC/CF fixture you could get the same results (or better since T5's have better depth penetration into the water) out of a 48" 100W T5 striplight.

 

[krap101]

kk thanks. I think mine are like 21" that go into a 24" fixture? And I've been reading around and it seems that the 9325 is pinkish in color? I can't seem to find the lights on the lowes website, and when I looked around, people were saying this bulb was over 30$, but the price could have dropped.

 

[bs6749]

I think you are right on the length...they are 21" rather than 24". I think you are right about the pink color too but the plants can still use it. Here's a cool link I found really quick: Planted 90 gallon - Page 2

The bulb should be around $10 and not $30. The Coralife replacement ones are $30 each though.

 

[krap101]

okay thanks

 

[jrp1588]

I used to work at lowes and we never carried PC bulbs. You may want to call ahead and check

 

[bs6749]

Maybe it was Home Depot. I forget but one of those two had them for sure.

 

[OldMan]

You can also order PC bulbs from AHSupply. I think my last bulb was beteen $15 and $20. They carry lots of different light spectra in the 4 pin in a row configuration because that fits their kits.