Check out this light bulb

Melissa · 10-07-2005, 11:20 AM

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product.php?product=11688

Product Name: 150W/UT/MOG/65K, Full Spectrum

Catalog Code: FC150/901890

Description: World-Class Full Spectrum Designer Phosphors Guarantees High Lumen Maintenance And Excellent Color Rendering

150 Watts, Equal to 650 Watts
Mogul Base
Price Shown is Per Each Bulb
Color or Hue = Stark White, 6400 Kelvin

Possibly an energy efficient alternative to halide lighting and comparable in price. What do you guys think?

tdwyatt · 10-07-2005, 11:59 AM

Hi Mel!

This is the bulb that LOA uses for their high intensity fluorex spotlights, and although it works well for stimulating corals growth, there is not a lot of punch with this buolb (good for shallow apps, prolly ok for shallow prop tanks and refugia, but would not be appropriate for deeper apps). Puts out lots of lumens, just doesn't have the energy to do deep water aps like MH lighting does. IIRC, this bulb requires a special driver to light the bulb as well, go to Home Despot and look in there outside lighting section for one of the Lights of America products, I believe you can find the specx on the outside of the box or at the link provided here. I have used these to drive the biology in sumps and refugia on several systems, but long PC bulbs are a bit easier to manage (although the spotlights would be great for compact apps!)

HTH

reef_noob · 10-07-2005, 02:42 PM

>Home Despot

Ha Ha! was that intentional?

I'm actually using a 65watt version of this on my 5.5 nano

wharyat · 10-07-2005, 03:09 PM

Looks like it would be great since you dont need a ballast; but like Tom said they wouldn't have the punch of MH deep tanks.

tdwyatt · 10-07-2005, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wharyat

Looks like it would be great since you dont need a ballast; but like Tom said they wouldn't have the punch of MH deep tanks.

actually you DO need a ballast, but it is built into the fixture that drives the bulb (i.e., it is a special fixture, the electronic driver is part of the fixture for the bulb, about $35 USD at the HD (and yes, Mel, that is my pet name for the orange box

)

Melissa · 10-07-2005, 03:36 PM

Ah, I didn't think about depth. Hmmm....

I use the 42w (150w output) to light my sump/frag rack.

On another note, does anyone here use Lumenarc reflectors?

Hey, Tom - how the heck are ya?!?

yardboy · 10-07-2005, 03:43 PM

The ones at HD are only 65W and do not have the ballast in the bulb. Have to have the fixture which has the ballast in it. And you're right, they work great in refugiums and low light tanks, but not so great for table acroporas

tdwyatt · 10-07-2005, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melissa

how the heck are ya?!?

I keep saying that I am going to cut back at work... that just hasn't happened.

I am planning to come down to Atlanta Saturday to visit Andy to pick up a pair of pumps ans a pair of skimmers, and to take in CBA (and a little business while I'm down there). I am REALLY going to try and make the next ARC meeting if I can move my schedule around a bit.

Are you coming up for the Picnic?

Melissa · 10-07-2005, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdwyatt

Are you coming up for the Picnic?

Tom,
I wish I could be there! Unfortunately I have to work that day. (Somehow work keeps interfering with our fun time. That's not right...should be the other way around, right?)

It certainly sounds like you've got a great party planned. Have an extra beer for me!