Macro algae lighting

I have used that bulb in the past. It burnt out in less than a year.

Depends on how large of an area and how fast you want it to grow. Instead of large bulbs, I like what Home Depot has. I think less is better in this case.

I use two 23W CFL at 5000K over 10G growout and quarantine tanks. It grows macro and coral. The color rendition is pleasant to look at with none of the yellow that I would normally associate with a 5000K color. The bulb is manufactured in China and is marketed under the label "ecosmart". Two bulbs cost less than $15 with an equivalent 125W of light with 23W of consumption.

Par readings in a 10G tank with two 23W bulbs: surface at 300, midway at 175 and the 12" bottom was 100.
 
CFL with homemade fixture

CFL with homemade fixture

These bulbs grow everything. I have three over my refugium.
 

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I have used that bulb in the past. It burnt out in less than a year.

Depends on how large of an area and how fast you want it to grow. Instead of large bulbs, I like what Home Depot has. I think less is better in this case.

I use two 23W CFL at 5000K over 10G growout and quarantine tanks. It grows macro and coral. The color rendition is pleasant to look at with none of the yellow that I would normally associate with a 5000K color. The bulb is manufactured in China and is marketed under the label "ecosmart". Two bulbs cost less than $15 with an equivalent 125W of light with 23W of consumption.

Par readings in a 10G tank with two 23W bulbs: surface at 300, midway at 175 and the 12" bottom was 100.

Which one? The 105W or the 200W? Once a year is ok. My halides go faster.

I'll check my PARs
 
I do not change my bulbs so frequent. When you have more than 10 tanks and are tying to be a business, I extend my lamp replacement. In the case of MH, I put them higher up initially. As bulb intensity decreases, I put them closer to the water and change them every two years.

The 200W CFL failed before one year of operation.
 
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