Home Depot Flood lighting for Chaeto

lastduke · 03/15/2008, 12:56 AM

I am going to concord Home depot and buy a flood light which has a better reputation for Chaeto growth, could you please shoot me a picture/link of the bulb to help me find it on the shelf?

After different experiments, It is the time to change the lighting for Chaeto to make it grow. I lost half of Chaeto which Ben gave to me in a couple weeks.
The lighting I am using is a unknow wattage CF (u-shape bulb), I tried different lighting schedule, none worked out.

Thanks for help and Ben's Chaeto

Dyngoe · 03/15/2008, 01:37 AM

They have 65w 5500K CF socket bulbs in 4 packs that you can pick up and small shop light reflectors. They are listed as "daylight" bulbs. I bought this setup a few weeks back and my fuge loves it. Depending on your size you may need to buy two. Total cost for 2 would be ~$20 ($8 for four lights and $10 for the reflectors). This is probably the second best light available behind the one suggested by Melev's Reef. I've heard you can get those bulbs at local light stores, but I always forget when I'm near one.

earthboy17 · 03/15/2008, 01:50 AM

Yeah, I was going to suggest checking out Melev's website about this. He did a decent comparison of them.

FWIW, I use a fluorescent (cheaper electricity) grow light (in the lighting section as a plant light) (is that too obvious?) flood light, and I use it in a squeeze-clip socket with reflector.

works well for me; I have chaeto growing so well it's into my rocks in my fuge. I have to rip it out to flip it.

Elite · 03/15/2008, 09:23 AM

http://indoors.pricegrabber.com/outd...ight/st=query/

Is that the one you are looking?? much cheaper at Costco but good luck with it. Some last a long time and some last only 2-3 days.

lastduke · 03/15/2008, 12:38 PM

Thanks for you guys input, anyone can share a picture of the bulb? I went to Melev's website before, but the bulb he suggested can not be found in local store. Picture and the brand name will be much helpful.

bluenassarius · 03/15/2008, 01:17 PM

i really like the compact flourescent bulb they have at HD. it comes in light blue packaging its the 27w one. its really bright white w/ a blue tint.

i've tried the floodlight and was not impressed w/ it.

lastduke · 03/15/2008, 04:28 PM

Dyngoe and bluenassarius, how about shoot me a picture to help me identify them in Home depot. BTw, do we need to change the bulb due to the lighting temperature decay

lastduke · 03/16/2008, 10:50 PM

Went to Home Depot, bought a fixture and the bulbs, The representive told me the bulb is equal to 6500K, which is 60W "equal", 14W actual. The lighting output is 630 Lumens. I totally have no idea what Lumen means.

Did I buy the correct one?

This is the old CF light, after compared, I realized how weak it was.

This is the new bulb, I still worry the "low" wattage, is that bright enough and correct color temperature? To compare the two lighting in the same camera setting, the new lighting picture was over exposured.

lastduke · 03/16/2008, 11:00 PM

After read the Melev's bulbs, it seems that it has 19W (75W equal) and 1100 Lumens output, Does it mean the bulb I bough is too weak............

earthboy17 · 03/16/2008, 11:13 PM

Read this:
http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

Buy this (as of 1/20/05):
Technical Consumer Products is the manufacturer of the bulb.
You can buy the bulb under the TCP brand name.
The part number is 1P3816 5100K.

lastduke · 03/16/2008, 11:16 PM

Can I find this in Home Depot ?

jkreefer · 03/16/2008, 11:31 PM

www.lightbulbsdirect.com

Dyngoe · 03/16/2008, 11:36 PM

Hey Duke,

That HD(nvision) light is the EXACT same bulb I use. I run two on my ~15G fuge (about the size of yours). Growth is terrific. The idiot at HD told you wrong. These lights are 5500K (says so on the bulb) which is very close to the 5100k Melev had success with. Remember it's the lumens that count and not the Watts. The 16w bulb he suggests actually only puts out 750 lumens compared with 630 on the 14w HD light. Your fuge should be more than fine with two bulbs and small clip on shop reflectors. If you don't like them, put the bulbs in your house to save electricity and use the reflectors somewhere else. Plus, if you like it, you have two new bulbs for the change in 6 months.

lastduke · 03/16/2008, 11:43 PM

Thanks for confirming the bulbs ,dyngoe. What's the lighting schedule you are running on your sump? I only bought one reflector.... try only one first, because my Chaeto chamber is only 7-8 gallon area.
The idiot was not that bad, at least he suggested me to buy a correct one, lol.

Dyngoe · 03/17/2008, 12:26 AM

I run my fuge RDP (Reverse Daylight). So, when my tank lights are off my fuge is on. In theory this helps balance PH. I run my tank 12 hours and my fuge 12 hours.

jedininja · 03/17/2008, 11:48 AM

I would check out costco. I used the Lights of America Flood light and always worked great. I had to prune my chaeto a few times a month. They are 65watt and around 6000k. They usually lasted me about 10-12 months. Not bad at $8.50 each. They come in a yellow/orange box and found in the hardware section of Costco. And if you do happen to get a bad one, its Costco so they'll take it back.

lastduke · 03/17/2008, 11:58 AM

does it mean more color temperature (****K) better chaeto growth? I will pick one from Costco next week, try this Homedepot bulb this week.
Thank you for your description.

lastduke · 03/17/2008, 12:08 PM

Jedininja, the bulb you are using is 65watt actual? or 65watt equal?

Dyngoe · 03/17/2008, 12:34 PM

Hey Duke,

"K" rating is a relative term relating to the spectrum of the bulb. Higher K means more blue and lower K means more red/yellow. Melev found he got better growth with 5100K as opposed to 2700K. TheNVision lights are 5500K which is pretty much the standard for plant growth lights (5000k - 6500K). Higher K rating is better for corals because it provides wavelengths they need, but it is useless in plants.

Try the HD light. ~$14 for the bulb and small shop light reflector. Great buy considering you get 4 bulbs that you can use in your house if you don't like them on your fuge.

lastduke · 03/17/2008, 01:07 PM

Good to know that Dyngoe, further technical curious since you are a technical instructor. Once we have an appropriate K, what else we can improve the growth?
There are bulbs some of them consume 16-19w (like the bulbs we are using, 65W equal) , some of them consume real 65W. what's the different between them, we all know the energy is a constant, 65W equal and 65 Real bulbs will not release the same lighting energy, does the Chaeto convert the engery to their own growth? It it does, more engery means more growth?

jedininja · 03/17/2008, 01:21 PM

The bulb I am using is an actual 65watt bulb. I think they say the equivalent is like 500 watts. but if comparing PC to PC bulbs, just look at actual watts and not that equivalent stuff. Equivalent means its the equivalent of a normal incandescant bulb which really isnt any good for growing anything.

palawan · 03/17/2008, 02:35 PM

Cosco has the Lights of America which will work well. I use it for my sump which is all Cheato.

Dyngoe · 03/17/2008, 03:19 PM

Here's technical for you:
Watts = D!CK

I have a 150w heater. Does it make my plants grow?

PAR and Lumens is all that matters. Admittedly higher lumens are usually achieved by higher watts, but there is much more to the story (reflectors, ballasts, etc).

With CF bulbs, they are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. So, they equate a 14w CF bulb with ~60w incandescent so the general public understands what they are buying. In your 8G fuge, one 14w CF bulb by nVision will be enough for you.

03/15/2008, 12:56 AM	#1
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Home Depot Flood lighting for Chaeto I am going to concord Home depot and buy a flood light which has a better reputation for Chaeto growth, could you please shoot me a picture/link of the bulb to help me find it on the shelf? After different experiments, It is the time to change the lighting for Chaeto to make it grow. I lost half of Chaeto which Ben gave to me in a couple weeks. The lighting I am using is a unknow wattage CF (u-shape bulb), I tried different lighting schedule, none worked out. Thanks for help and Ben's Chaeto

03/15/2008, 01:17 PM	#6
bluenassarius retired algae slanger Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sac ra men to! Posts: 4,883	i really like the compact flourescent bulb they have at HD. it comes in light blue packaging its the 27w one. its really bright white w/ a blue tint. i've tried the floodlight and was not impressed w/ it. __________________ half man / half algae ... true story Current Tank Info: tankless, on hiatus until further notice

03/17/2008, 11:48 AM	#16
jedininja Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,518	I would check out costco. I used the Lights of America Flood light and always worked great. I had to prune my chaeto a few times a month. They are 65watt and around 6000k. They usually lasted me about 10-12 months. Not bad at $8.50 each. They come in a yellow/orange box and found in the hardware section of Costco. And if you do happen to get a bad one, its Costco so they'll take it back. __________________ “Encourage Aquatic Excellence”

03/17/2008, 01:21 PM	#21
jedininja Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,518	The bulb I am using is an actual 65watt bulb. I think they say the equivalent is like 500 watts. but if comparing PC to PC bulbs, just look at actual watts and not that equivalent stuff. Equivalent means its the equivalent of a normal incandescant bulb which really isnt any good for growing anything. __________________ “Encourage Aquatic Excellence”

03/15/2008, 01:37 AM	#2
Dyngoe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 762	They have 65w 5500K CF socket bulbs in 4 packs that you can pick up and small shop light reflectors. They are listed as "daylight" bulbs. I bought this setup a few weeks back and my fuge loves it. Depending on your size you may need to buy two. Total cost for 2 would be ~$20 ($8 for four lights and $10 for the reflectors). This is probably the second best light available behind the one suggested by Melev's Reef. I've heard you can get those bulbs at local light stores, but I always forget when I'm near one.

03/15/2008, 01:50 AM	#3
earthboy17 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Walnut Creek / Concord, CA Posts: 1,331	Yeah, I was going to suggest checking out Melev's website about this. He did a decent comparison of them. FWIW, I use a fluorescent (cheaper electricity) grow light (in the lighting section as a plant light) (is that too obvious?) flood light, and I use it in a squeeze-clip socket with reflector. works well for me; I have chaeto growing so well it's into my rocks in my fuge. I have to rip it out to flip it.

03/15/2008, 09:23 AM	#4
Elite Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SJ Posts: 5,979	http://indoors.pricegrabber.com/outd...ight/st=query/ Is that the one you are looking?? much cheaper at Costco but good luck with it. Some last a long time and some last only 2-3 days.

03/15/2008, 12:38 PM	#5
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Thanks for you guys input, anyone can share a picture of the bulb? I went to Melev's website before, but the bulb he suggested can not be found in local store. Picture and the brand name will be much helpful.

03/15/2008, 04:28 PM	#7
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Dyngoe and bluenassarius, how about shoot me a picture to help me identify them in Home depot. BTw, do we need to change the bulb due to the lighting temperature decay

03/16/2008, 10:50 PM	#8
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Went to Home Depot, bought a fixture and the bulbs, The representive told me the bulb is equal to 6500K, which is 60W "equal", 14W actual. The lighting output is 630 Lumens. I totally have no idea what Lumen means. Did I buy the correct one? This is the old CF light, after compared, I realized how weak it was. This is the new bulb, I still worry the "low" wattage, is that bright enough and correct color temperature? To compare the two lighting in the same camera setting, the new lighting picture was over exposured.

03/16/2008, 11:00 PM	#9
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	After read the Melev's bulbs, it seems that it has 19W (75W equal) and 1100 Lumens output, Does it mean the bulb I bough is too weak............

03/16/2008, 11:13 PM	#10
earthboy17 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Walnut Creek / Concord, CA Posts: 1,331	Read this: http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html Buy this (as of 1/20/05): Technical Consumer Products is the manufacturer of the bulb. You can buy the bulb under the TCP brand name. The part number is 1P3816 5100K.

03/16/2008, 11:16 PM	#11
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Can I find this in Home Depot ?

03/16/2008, 11:31 PM	#12
jkreefer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NOR CAL Posts: 1,350	www.lightbulbsdirect.com

03/16/2008, 11:36 PM	#13
Dyngoe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 762	Hey Duke, That HD(nvision) light is the EXACT same bulb I use. I run two on my ~15G fuge (about the size of yours). Growth is terrific. The idiot at HD told you wrong. These lights are 5500K (says so on the bulb) which is very close to the 5100k Melev had success with. Remember it's the lumens that count and not the Watts. The 16w bulb he suggests actually only puts out 750 lumens compared with 630 on the 14w HD light. Your fuge should be more than fine with two bulbs and small clip on shop reflectors. If you don't like them, put the bulbs in your house to save electricity and use the reflectors somewhere else. Plus, if you like it, you have two new bulbs for the change in 6 months.

03/16/2008, 11:43 PM	#14
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Thanks for confirming the bulbs ,dyngoe. What's the lighting schedule you are running on your sump? I only bought one reflector.... try only one first, because my Chaeto chamber is only 7-8 gallon area. The idiot was not that bad, at least he suggested me to buy a correct one, lol.

03/17/2008, 12:26 AM	#15
Dyngoe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 762	I run my fuge RDP (Reverse Daylight). So, when my tank lights are off my fuge is on. In theory this helps balance PH. I run my tank 12 hours and my fuge 12 hours.

03/17/2008, 11:58 AM	#17
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	does it mean more color temperature (****K) better chaeto growth? I will pick one from Costco next week, try this Homedepot bulb this week. Thank you for your description.

03/17/2008, 12:08 PM	#18
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Jedininja, the bulb you are using is 65watt actual? or 65watt equal?

03/17/2008, 12:34 PM	#19
Dyngoe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 762	Hey Duke, "K" rating is a relative term relating to the spectrum of the bulb. Higher K means more blue and lower K means more red/yellow. Melev found he got better growth with 5100K as opposed to 2700K. TheNVision lights are 5500K which is pretty much the standard for plant growth lights (5000k - 6500K). Higher K rating is better for corals because it provides wavelengths they need, but it is useless in plants. Try the HD light. ~$14 for the bulb and small shop light reflector. Great buy considering you get 4 bulbs that you can use in your house if you don't like them on your fuge.

03/17/2008, 01:07 PM	#20
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Good to know that Dyngoe, further technical curious since you are a technical instructor. Once we have an appropriate K, what else we can improve the growth? There are bulbs some of them consume 16-19w (like the bulbs we are using, 65W equal) , some of them consume real 65W. what's the different between them, we all know the energy is a constant, 65W equal and 65 Real bulbs will not release the same lighting energy, does the Chaeto convert the engery to their own growth? It it does, more engery means more growth?

03/17/2008, 02:35 PM	#22
palawan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fremont,CA Posts: 960	Cosco has the Lights of America which will work well. I use it for my sump which is all Cheato.

03/17/2008, 03:19 PM	#23
Dyngoe Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 762	Here's technical for you: Watts = D!CK I have a 150w heater. Does it make my plants grow? PAR and Lumens is all that matters. Admittedly higher lumens are usually achieved by higher watts, but there is much more to the story (reflectors, ballasts, etc). With CF bulbs, they are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. So, they equate a 14w CF bulb with ~60w incandescent so the general public understands what they are buying. In your 8G fuge, one 14w CF bulb by nVision will be enough for you.