Compact Fluroescents

Bebobb · Jan 28, 2010

As I have upgraded my tank, I need some new lighting.l I am in the process of making a DIY canopy for the top of the tank. I need some lighting, though. I don't want to spend a lot of money on lighting, so I would like to know if I could use compact fluroescents for mt lighting. I am talking about the kind that fit into incandescent fixtures. WOuld I be able to seccussfully grow plants with these? Thanks!

kribensis12 · Jan 28, 2010

I know people that use them. They grow plants. So, yes, depending on the plant, it should work.

JenCliBee · Jan 28, 2010

Try LampSpec for the bulbs mate, not sure if you require the fittings? but i doubt you will get bulbs much cheaper than this place.

Just to let you know, if you order over i think £10 worth of stuff the postage drops to only about £3 if i remember correctly

three-fingers · Jan 28, 2010

Betta boys in the US, so he cant use Lampspecs.

But yes, CF's from a supermarket or hardware store will work fine. Just remember they have a very awkward shape so while you may have a 24W bulb, in reality your getting nowhere near as much light to the plants as you would with a strip tube.

I use a 24w "cool white" one just above a 5 gal tank with no reflector or anything, my Ludwigia and floating plants are growing great, but don't expect fast growth and stick to easy low-light plants.

Daylight bulbs look best IMO.

Bebobb · Jan 28, 2010

I plan on painting the inside of the canopy where the lights are going to be housed white. I have read that it will help act as a reflector. What wattage do you think I should go for? ANd how many do you think I should have? It is a 40 gallon breeder, btw.

three-fingers · Jan 28, 2010

The highest wattage available to you...if you use 24w ones, go for 3 or 4 of them, depending on what plants you want to grow. If your just using Java fern, Anubias sp. and mosses you'll get away with 2.

Bebobb · Jan 28, 2010

I plan on Anubias, Java fern, Java moss, and Wisteria. All of the others are fake plants.

Mikaila31 · Jan 29, 2010

I use 28 watts of those on a 15gal and the same on a 5gal. Both tanks are doing wonderful and haven't had any issues since getting rid of the tubes. Home Depot sells 5500K bulbs, Fleetfarm 6500K, menards has them but IDK what temp, lowes should too....

You won't get as much light compared to the nice linear bulbs, but IMO they offer many advantages. They are a fraction of the cost, especially making a DIY fixture. The bulbs are self ballasted. So you don't have to use any fixture ballasts or starters. Those non exsistant ballast and starters can't break. The self ballasted bulbs also means you are not stuck with a specific wattage usually 7-18watt bulbs can fit in a retrofitted striplight. For the 23watt bulbs you usually need to make a new hood. If you know what your doing you can add a $5 DIY moonlight and match the store sold fixtures.

Bebobb · Jan 29, 2010

I should be able to get 26 watt bulbs. I think that I am going to get two of them. Do you think that I should just pain the inside of the canopy white to reflect it, or use aluminum foil/myllar for reflection?