CFL's!!!!!!!

[StonerFishy]

has anyone used compact fluorescent lights for a reef aquarium? i use many starting plants indoors before going outside so i know they are excellent with plants but nothing compared to metal halides. heres a link to the bulbs i have do u think they can work and for what kinds of corals? this is in a 45 gal

http://www.lightsofamerica.com/Products/2842S.aspx

 

[sikoko]

i haven't tried but it would be neat to see the effects

 

[StonerFishy]

i have one 42 watt cfl that in link and a 15 watt 2 foot fluoro goin in the 45 with some brown zoas a pink acropora and a red mushroom all are looking ten times better with the cfl then 2 2 foot fluoros. i will keep ya posted if ur interested i guess

 

[cjack]

I'm nervous about that acro, but very curious to see how it turns out!

 

[mgk]

don't we already use CFL just in a different shape and name, called power compact?

 

[FLESHY]

I had power compacts on a reef of mine. Good growth. Problems were replaceing the bulbs every six months, and the only sps coral that I had was an elkhorn coral, which I think would grow anywhere you put it.

 

[StonerFishy]

the pink acro has grown! i have it at the top of the rock scape with medium flow, even my green brain had doubled in size, wish i took before pics

 

[StonerFishy]

whats the normal lighting schedule for reef tanks? ive just been running them for 12-13 hours

 

[cjack]

MGK - CFL's are kinda like PC's, but different spectrums.

Wow, thats a long photoperiod, but not unheard of. The normal period is 8-10 hours a day, the longer the period causes more growth of both corals and algae.

 

[StonerFishy]

i added another flouro and another identical 42 watt cfl, everythings looking great and alot brighter, added some australian zoos as well.