Lighting

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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LoganBlade

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 14, 2010
147
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0
Boston, MA
ok went to the LFS. Needed bulb for tank.
$18.00 for bulb
Went to home depot
$7.00 for Bulb
Spec of bulb I bought
light output 850 lumens
20watts
9000 hours
Color Rendering 92
Color Temperature 5000k

I didn't read the LFS bulb

Will the $7.00 bulb work for an open area tank light to the bottom and micro swords? If I ever find my camera from the kids using it I will post a picture. But not sure if it didn't get left at a friends house never to be seen again.

thanks
 
im not an expierienced lighting knowitall but i would say if it looks good then why not, your not planting anything. its worth saving the money
 
as long as you can see the fish...

I know they sell aquarium bulbs at home depot. not the expensive ones at the lfs, but like GE brand. they also have daylight, soft white. buy a few and keep the one you like best. return the rest.
 
Westie;4430749; said:
Won't grow plants but, it'll light the tank.
Click to expand...

ok but why not. it says it is Natural Sunshine. is it just not enough? What is the magic numbers for minimal expectations?

I am ignorant to lighting for plants. So information to make better choices in the future helpful.

budget sucks now but i needed a light went with what i hoped would be best for minimal planting i did.

thanks
 
Almost any fluorescent bulb will grow plants. I do hydroponics with T8's and CFLs. The best ones for vegetative growth are the cool white or daylight bulbs. 1 24" T8 Bulb should do well for most low to medium light plants in a 29 Gal.

Main concern here will be that the Home Depot bulb is able to be lit by the ballast in the aquarium hood. Not all bulbs can be powered by the same ballast, and even if it does light, if the bulb wasn't built for the ballast being used you might not be running at the recommended specs for the bulb (Light output might be different than advertised).
 
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