Is 27W FL light harmful?

[comebashme]

The set of lights came with it but I have changed one of the bulbs to a 30W FL. Just wondering if there are any harmful effects if I turn on the 27W. Will it be helpful in getting rid of algae like BBA since I heard adding some UV light can help to solve the problem?

Side-track: Anybody has experience in using sponge filter with surface skimmer? Nobody's posting to my question...

[PeterGwee]

The set of lights came with what? You are installing a 30w bulb into a 27w fixture? What is the ballast rating for the light set? I think you really need to write properly in order for people to understand.

Normal light bulbs don't produce UV rays or else we will get cancer sooner or later (I hope I got it right)...special bulbs do that. Unless you can the BBA into a UV equipment, it will not help. (Don't even think about exposing the UV over the aquarium as it can do harm to you...just to kill BBA?)

Regards
Peter Gwee

[comebashme]

Woo.... UV rays are bad... Anyway, I bought the FL lights from C328 but it came with 27W bulbs. I tried replacing the 2 tubes with 30W but so far, no problems. Only recently I swapped one to 27W because I feel it's a waste to leave 2 new bulbs unused. I dunno what is the ballast output coz not written on the box or anything. Anyway to check it out? Maybe it's the 'trend' to sell 30W ballast FL light set with 27W bulbs?

[Barbarik]

The set of lights came with it but I have changed one of the bulbs to a 30W FL. Just wondering if there are any harmful effects if I turn on the 27W. Will it be helpful in getting rid of algae like BBA since I heard adding some UV light can help to solve the problem?

Side-track: Anybody has experience in using sponge filter with surface skimmer? Nobody's posting to my question...

As long as the tube used is within a +/-10% difference, there is not much of as issue. A tube with a 30W factory rating, for example, most of the time do not have exactly 30W true rating. As tube is not a precision part/equipment, variation to its true rating as compared to its factory rating will always exist. A 30W factory-rated tube might have a true rating of be 27.5W, 29W, 31W, 32.3W, ect. The same applies to ballasts.

For your 2nd question regarding UV light, let me presume it is not related to your 1st question. Based on my knowledge, UV light for aquarium use might cause skin disease (or even skin cancer) or visiual blindness if long-term exposure to the skin & eyes is subjected. As such, do not attempt to DIY yourself. Use only those eclosed-type of UV light set which can be bought easily at LFS.

For your last question, yes, a surface skimmer can be used with any motor-powered filter, as long as the piping connecting both equipments match.

[comebashme]

Woo... thanx a lot!!! The info sure proves to be useful! Went to C328. Found out the surface skimmer could not fit into the normal sponge filters... Have to buy the sponge pieces and wrap around the bottom inlet of the surface skimmer...