105W Compact Fluorescent Light

[Chodom]

I ordered three of these 6500k 105w CFL that has a lumen output of 6500, they only cost me $14.00 and my main question is has anyone used lights of this nature for plants? I believe this should work quite well and be by far the cheapest route for lighting I have found. I would love your opinions and advice with these.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I've never used 105w CFL's. Are they actually 105w or 105w equivalent? CFL's are definitely a cheap way to light a tank, and if you can reflect most of the light down, can get some pretty intense lighting. They won't touch a T5HO on taller tanks, but for shallow tanks, they can be a fantastic option.

 

[Chodom]

I've never used 105w CFL's. Are they actually 105w or 105w equivalent? CFL's are definitely a cheap way to light a tank, and if you can reflect most of the light down, can get some pretty intense lighting. They won't touch a T5HO on taller tanks, but for shallow tanks, they can be a fantastic option.

Yeah they are the 105w=400w equivalent, I am thinking very serious lighting, and I am thinking almost just using one to two of them on my 40gallon as it pretty shallow. I am pretty stoked about the deal I got on them and would be happy to share the deal if anyone is interested in where I found them for that price.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I'm interested in seeing how they do. I've not seen 105w CFL's. On a 40g (long, tall, or breeder?), that'll probably be co2 territory if you use two. Any plans for the fixture? I assume you're going to DIY something?

 

[Chodom]

I'm interested in seeing how they do. I've not seen 105w CFL's. On a 40g (long, tall, or breeder?), that'll probably be co2 territory if you use two. Any plans for the fixture? I assume you're going to DIY something?

Its a breeder and I have Co2 already with a paintball canister, I am going to do alot of documentation on the results as I think its a pretty crazy endeavor. Yeah I think I am going to do a canopy fixture deal with white backing.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Just keep heat in mind as you're building it. Vents will definitely be a must, fans would probably be a good idea if you know enough to rig up a couple computer fans. I've used the 13w CFL's over 10g tanks and they grew plants really well (and also get quite warm). If you can point a lot of that light down in the tank, you're going to really have a lot of light.

 

[Chodom]

Just keep heat in mind as you're building it. Vents will definitely be a must, fans would probably be a good idea if you know enough to rig up a couple computer fans. I've used the 13w CFL's over 10g tanks and they grew plants really well (and also get quite warm). If you can point a lot of that light down in the tank, you're going to really have a lot of light.

Yeah I am a computer tech so got plenty of fans laying around and yeah I been using 25w CFL's for quite some time, but on the bigger tanks, takes quite a few to get any real light on it so I will definitively take photos as I do this project and this may just be the cheapest form of lighting I found.

 

[Chodom]

Got the bulbs, I ordered three and got four by though mistake by the company I ordered from, so I put two on my 40 gallon breeder, and wow, huge difference from the 4 T12 bulbs I was using. Totally worth the money. Ill post pictures here in a minute.

 

[jetajockey]

Looking forward to updates. I'd also like to know where you got them, it sounds like a pretty cheap and efficient setup. Are you putting them in regular screw in fixtures?

 

[Chodom]

Looking forward to updates. I'd also like to know where you got them, it sounds like a pretty cheap and efficient setup. Are you putting them in regular screw in fixtures?

For now I am putting them into these cheap walmart fixtures, looks kinda dumb though as these bulbs are quite large, I will have to make a enclosure of some sort for them. As far as where I got them, pm me and Ill send you a link.

 

[Chodom]

Is there a way to post a youtube video on here or do i just need to link it?

 

[mfdrookie516]

Just paste the link, it'll automatically embed.

 

[mfdrookie516]

wrong link.. just copy the link out of the address bar

 

[Chodom]

 

[Chodom]

Looks nuts, the oxygen coming from the plants is crazy. Stupid cheap.

 

[mfdrookie516]

You just burned my eyeballs.

 

[Chodom]

You just burned my eyeballs.

Maybe so, but defiantly the cheapest form of light I have found. A T5HO putts out 5000 Lumens at 6500K for about $20.00 a bulb where these put out 6500 Lumens at 6500k for $14, and the fixture is a regular screw in light socket where you can spend upwards of $80-$200 for a fixture with a ballast. So to get appox. the same output of light, (14x3)+(8x3)= $66, or (20x4)+(80)=$160. Huge difference in price.

 

[Deckape]

Nice job. Can you post a picture or the rig with the lights off ?I need a welding hood after that video. Thanks

 

[mfdrookie516]

I'd love to see a PAR reading on these bulbs... but I don't suppose you have a PAR meter?

 

[Deckape]

Looking forward to updates. I'd also like to know where you got them, it sounds like a pretty cheap and efficient setup. Are you putting them in regular screw in fixtures?

Me too, I just checked for them on Amazon. The ones I saw were 20 dollars each and upwards