Very confused about wattage

[Nadia0201]

Ok - the more I read about various types of lighting and retrofitting, etc. the more confused I get.

I just purchased a 5 gallon minibow - and I replaced the standard bulb with a mini compact 10W (fits in the same ballast - 6,500K). But on the box it says that it is equal to 50W incandescent lighting . . . so which number do I go by- the 10 or the 50? :anxious

Thanks!

 

[sadielynn]

The wattage that they are comparing to is the same as a household wattage comparison ie 25 watt mini flourescent is = to that of a 100 watt incandescent light bulb or to that nature the wattage that you should go by is the 10 watts it is all very confusing but they are compairing the total out put the following link will help explain it better than I can
http://home.howstuffworks.com/fluorescent-lamp.htm
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/lighti ... 031300.htm
for the tank you are looking at the kelvin rating wich has to do with the wavelengths and penitration to the floor of the ocean

 

[incysor]

If you can find a 10k bulb, or a 50/50 bulb, which will be 10k, and 03 actinic, you may like the look of the tank a bit better. Most find that a combination of 10k, and actinic, (ie. 50/50), have a crisper whiter look. Most people think the 6500k bulbs give off too yellow a light. Your corals won't care either way. ;-)

Something like this is what I'm talking about. I'm assuming this is the type of bulb fits in your hood.

http://petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=23 ... 4294965970

B

 

[Nadia0201]

That was very helpful - thank you!

I plugged it in last night, and I think I'm going to try the 50/50 bulb because it did seem a little yellow . . .

 

[incysor]

Depending on where you bought it, maybe they'll let you exchange it for a 50/50 one.

B

 

[Nadia0201]

Ok - I'm buying a different lightbulb but I'm unsure which one to get.

Coralife makes a 10W and 20W mini compact light (http://www.aquariumguys.com/minicompact3.html)

Would the 20W = 100 watt incandescent lamp be too hot for a 5 gallon tank? I could install a fan if needed, but wouldn't the 10W be enough light so a couple LPS and zoos?

Thanks!

 

[Nadia0201]

Depending on where you bought it, maybe they'll let you exchange it for a 50/50 one.

B

I'm actually going to keep it since it was under $8.00 - since I don't live near a pet store I'd like to keep an extra light for an emergency.

 

[sadielynn]

I would think that the 10w would be ok but you could try the 20w drill some extra vent holes around to allow for cooling