Growing plants with energy saving light bulb

[poon]

Has anyone used energy saving bulbs for planted tanks? Is the light spectrum the same as FL or PL tubes?

[David Moses Heng]

Has anyone used energy saving bulbs for planted tanks? Is the light spectrum the same as FL or PL tubes?

I am currently using them for my client's tank and i will be changing my home setup to energy saving compact bulbs as well.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=47827

one of the pics in the thread shows the light set fired up and the light temperature is 6500k at 20W. Total number of light bulb for a 422 is 6 bulb on siesta programing

Total cost of DIYing is roughly $100. One bulb is $9 from Sinter Electronic @ Simlim Tower. PVC pipes is from JB, switches are from SLT basement.

[poon]

Very impressive Bro. I have a 3ft tank and now I am trying out 2 x 23watt bulbs. Do not know whether it is sufficient for the plants. Some are melting while some are doing ok.

[bossteck]

2 x 23W for a 3footer is a little too low.
By the way, if you planning to DIY like what David (Altum lover) did, you might want to consider getting white color PVC pipings instead of grey ones, might as well try to squeeze whatever reflective properties from your light 'casing' as you can.

[David Moses Heng]

you might want to consider getting white color PVC pipings instead of grey ones, might as well try to squeeze whatever reflective properties from your light 'casing' as you can.

Any reason for this? The luminaire can be easily solved by buying the ultra thin chrome sheets. I bought a piece (6 ft by 5 ft) and that piece alone is enough for me to make about 6 to 7 set of 4 ft lights.

[poon]

Then what is the acceptable wattage I should have for the tank, say I am using 23 watts bulb?

[David Moses Heng]

you should get the 11 watts bulb. 3 pieces. if you need help let me know.

[bossteck]

Any reason for this? The luminaire can be easily solved by buying the ultra thin chrome sheets. I bought a piece (6 ft by 5 ft) and that piece alone is enough for me to make about 6 to 7 set of 4 ft lights.

Didn't noticed that in the pics of your DIY, if you're using them, then the color of the pvc doesn't matter.

Say, is it easy to paint pvc pipes? I can imagine black DIY sets to be even sleeker looking.

[bossteck]

Then what is the acceptable wattage I should have for the tank, say I am using 23 watts bulb?

You tank should be around 60-70 gallons? Use the aquarium calculator link at the top right corner of this forum to check.

The rule of thumb for lighting is 2-3 watts per gallon. So you need about 4 more bulbs. But then again, it really depends on what you're growing.

[David Moses Heng]

Didn't noticed that in the pics of your DIY, if you're using them, then the color of the pvc doesn't matter.

Say, is it easy to paint pvc pipes? I can imagine black DIY sets to be even sleeker looking.

i bought the spray paint but got no time to spray...

[johnpierce79]

They are the rage right now...energy saving light bulbs, that is. Energy saving light bulbs are 80 percent more efficient than regular light bulbs. Yes, 80 percent! But the amazing facts don't end there. These incredible, energy saving bulbs last about 10 times longer than regular light bulbs.

[Bybloz]

Any reason for this? The luminaire can be easily solved by buying the ultra thin chrome sheets. I bought a piece (6 ft by 5 ft) and that piece alone is enough for me to make about 6 to 7 set of 4 ft lights.

Hi David, where did you buy the "ultra thin chrome sheets" from?

Rgds
Kai

[David Moses Heng]

Hi David, where did you buy the "ultra thin chrome sheets" from?

Rgds
Kai

You mean the mylar? I bought it from Overjoyed.

Here: www.overjoyed.com
Look for Adriel Lim.

[bossteck]

Should be www.overjoyed.com.SG

[vinz]

Err... PL lights are suppose to be energy saving bulbs. Are these NEWER energy saving bulbs?

[Chris Wong]

wow creative

[spilopterus]

How's the heat emission anyway? Compared to PL tubes, how'd you rate them?

[fireblade]

think the good thing about thiese bulbs are they do not need extra ballast..
just connect to AC and it works..

[poon]

The heat produced by the energy bulb is lesser than a PL or FL light. I have a PL setup in office and when i put my hand under the PLs, they fell warmer and at home the energy bulbs are cooler to the feel.