ge energy smart 6500k bulbs ...pics
- Thread starter nemesis7
- Start date
I'm doing something similar on my prop tanks which I keep crocea and SPS corals in at a depth of 24" (125 tank).
I'm using the 100 watt version of the lights with reflectors and also have some actenic lighting on them.
This setup has worked great for me and I really like the look of the tanks with 6500K lighting better then 10K-20K which always look to blue to my eye.
I've like the look so much that I put a few 65w (lower wattage) bulbs over my 265g reef just to improve the color. It had a mix of 2 10K bulbs and 2 20K bulbs previously. The 2 65w 6500K lights really made the tank look brighter but didn't really take away from the fluorescent look of the corals under the 20Ks. I'm really happy with the new balance of light in this tank also.
Oh using this style of PC bulb allows easy placement over the tank where you need it and costs a lot less then typical long fluorescent PC tubes sold in the hobby. The typical cost of PC has been one reason why many people have moved away from them as they are just to expensive to replace. With these bulbs you can use them in other parts of the house of flood lights. It's nice to recycle your bulbs and get additional use from them!
Carlo
I'm using the 100 watt version of the lights with reflectors and also have some actenic lighting on them.
This setup has worked great for me and I really like the look of the tanks with 6500K lighting better then 10K-20K which always look to blue to my eye.
I've like the look so much that I put a few 65w (lower wattage) bulbs over my 265g reef just to improve the color. It had a mix of 2 10K bulbs and 2 20K bulbs previously. The 2 65w 6500K lights really made the tank look brighter but didn't really take away from the fluorescent look of the corals under the 20Ks. I'm really happy with the new balance of light in this tank also.
Oh using this style of PC bulb allows easy placement over the tank where you need it and costs a lot less then typical long fluorescent PC tubes sold in the hobby. The typical cost of PC has been one reason why many people have moved away from them as they are just to expensive to replace. With these bulbs you can use them in other parts of the house of flood lights. It's nice to recycle your bulbs and get additional use from them!
Carlo
Ismellikefish
New member
I use 2 of those for my fuge > they work great
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
Are you talking about compact fluorescent bulbs with reflectors in them or the halogen spot lights? I've never seen CF spot lights... Halogens are ridiculously inefficient, might as well try lighting your tank with candles.
Here is a basic diagram of light efficiency:
http://www.mge.com/images/embed_lumensperwatt.gif
As you can see from this, only the most efficient compact fluorescents can compete with the least efficient metal halides. Then factor in using a reflector, any reflector, with even the least efficient metal halide and it is clear as to the winner. Halogens rest in the sub-20 lumens per watt. These things are a waste of energy even with an internal reflector.
Here is a basic diagram of light efficiency:
http://www.mge.com/images/embed_lumensperwatt.gif
As you can see from this, only the most efficient compact fluorescents can compete with the least efficient metal halides. Then factor in using a reflector, any reflector, with even the least efficient metal halide and it is clear as to the winner. Halogens rest in the sub-20 lumens per watt. These things are a waste of energy even with an internal reflector.
glassbox-design
New member
cf bulb in a par type spot, with built in reflector...much for efficient than a bare cf bulb.
oct2274
New member
the 6500k bulbs can be found at walmart, they come in different wattages and are made by GE. You can buy relectors at walmart, home depot, ace hardware, lowes, etc. The reflectors typically come with the socket and you can choose from a variety of reflector sizes. They do make ones with built in reflectors, but I'm not sure they have any more output and like the person said above, they typically have to be ordered. I use the regular spirals with 8" reflectors over my sump/fuge.
maro1
New member
I gave it a shot. My 6 foot tank was lighted by one 250 watt MH in the center. that left the edges dim or dark. I am still building my canopy and was going to add another 250 watt MH. Today I added 2 CF on the ends. Made a big differance in the Lightness of the outside areas.
My tank is primarily a FOWLR that has overtime been added to with soft corals. IN the center. They have done great over the firsat year with only one MH.
Rethinking it I may just add reflectors to the CF's and call it good enough since they do what I wanted them to do. Light up the ends of the tank.
I'll take a pic and try and post it later tonight.
Maro1
My tank is primarily a FOWLR that has overtime been added to with soft corals. IN the center. They have done great over the firsat year with only one MH.
Rethinking it I may just add reflectors to the CF's and call it good enough since they do what I wanted them to do. Light up the ends of the tank.
I'll take a pic and try and post it later tonight.
Maro1
Lights of America also makes the same type bulb (what I'm using). I've got both 65w and 100w versions of the same thing. I purchased mine as the "floodlight" so it comes with reflector.
Home Depot in my area has both in stock. Couldn't find the 100w version but here's the 65w version.
http://www.energyfederation.org/loa/default.php/cPath/2050_25_174_241_480
These work great on a fuge and in my opinion a reef tank. Since they run "side ways" instead of pointing down like the picture in this thread they would be very easy to mount into a canopy and you could install one every 7" in the canopy if you wanted. You would still have plenty of room for a few actinic bulbs too.
One thing I really like is the ability to walk into Home Depot and pick up replacement bulbs CHEAP. Plus as already mentioned you can cycle used bulbs throughout the house or backyard and get more bang for the bulb.
Definately not for everyone but if you have a canopy with some open room it might be worth a try to some additional lighting spectrum even if you already run halides (like me).
Carlo
Home Depot in my area has both in stock. Couldn't find the 100w version but here's the 65w version.
http://www.energyfederation.org/loa/default.php/cPath/2050_25_174_241_480
These work great on a fuge and in my opinion a reef tank. Since they run "side ways" instead of pointing down like the picture in this thread they would be very easy to mount into a canopy and you could install one every 7" in the canopy if you wanted. You would still have plenty of room for a few actinic bulbs too.
One thing I really like is the ability to walk into Home Depot and pick up replacement bulbs CHEAP. Plus as already mentioned you can cycle used bulbs throughout the house or backyard and get more bang for the bulb.
Definately not for everyone but if you have a canopy with some open room it might be worth a try to some additional lighting spectrum even if you already run halides (like me).
Carlo
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
Picture comparisons are useless. First of all, most digital cameras auto-compensate for changes in white-balance and lighting. Second, even if you did have a good DSLR camera or one that uses manual adjustments so there is no auto-compensation, you can't how well light is performing just by looking at it. The only ways you're going to know how it performs are either to have them in your tank for awhile and see how well everything does or to use a PAR meter.
maro1
New member
aninjaatemyshoe,
For me it is not "how well everything does" I am just trying to add a little light to the outer edges. I don't think I would personally use them to "grow" or keep anything photosynthetic alive. But as as supplement them seem to be just the ticket for me.
I also have never used RO/DI which is prescribed by everyone and I have zero algae. Maybe just lucky.
Maro1
For me it is not "how well everything does" I am just trying to add a little light to the outer edges. I don't think I would personally use them to "grow" or keep anything photosynthetic alive. But as as supplement them seem to be just the ticket for me.
I also have never used RO/DI which is prescribed by everyone and I have zero algae. Maybe just lucky.
Maro1
BigRedSpecial
New member
I use two 27w Phillips 6500k's on my 10, in combination with two 15w 18" tubes(one actinic, one 6700k) and one 14w 15" tube(advertised as 18000k, take that with a grain of salt). looks good on my tank, but with 98 watts over 10 gallons, it isn't hard.
I only used the spirals because they are so cheap. I also find they send light in all directions and are hard to aim.
I only used the spirals because they are so cheap. I also find they send light in all directions and are hard to aim.
