lighting

[lachupacabra]

okay i have questions about lighting, i ask you be really patient with me because i've never quite understood lighting. Sorry if this isn't the right category for this topic.

I have a Current USA Satellite 30" 65 Watt Power Compact Fixture-Single Strip on my 20L planted fish tank. here is the description on bigalsonline.com:

"The Current USA Satellite 65 Watt Power Compact Fixture is a single strip light which contains 1 SunPaq SmartPaq bulb and 1 Lunar Light. The Lunar Light is a small LED which sits in the fixture above the bulb. The SmartPaq Lamp is a combo bulb comprised of 10,000K and 460nm Actinic. It produces 3 times the output of standard fluorescent bulbs and has double the life (12 months). This model comes with one switch and mounting legs."


From what i've been told, actinic bulbs are completely useless in freshwater planted tanks.
I have a couple of questions:

1. since it's 65W does that mean i'm really only getting 32.5 watts since there are two bulbs? or am i still getting the full 65?
2. If I want to change the bulb, can i change it to anything or do I strictly have to stick with the Current USA bulbs.
3. Does the new bulb have to be the shape of the fixture's bulb. (i don't know how to explain withougt pictures)

I can upload pictures tomorrow its late right now and i have to get up early
Thank you in advance for your help!






base pin configuration:

[eklikewhoa]

Re: lighting

1. since it's 65W does that mean i'm really only getting 32.5 watts since there are two bulbs? or am i still getting the full 65?
You are getting 65w of lighting but due to restrike from the poor reflector you are getting a bit less into the tank then there's the PAR issue with different parts of the tank... .also with the half actinic bulb you are getting less productive lighting for the plants.
2. If I want to change the bulb, can i change it to anything or do I strictly have to stick with the Current USA bulbs.
You can change to anything rated for 65w sometimes slightly less but the bulb life will be less due to overdriving from the ballast.... with the pin configuration you can get straight->square pin convertors since you show to have the square pin set up.
3. Does the new bulb have to be the shape of the fixture's bulb. (i don't know how to explain withougt pictures) Compact fluorescent does come in different shapes and sizes but you should stick to what shape that came in the fixture seeing as though the others will probably not fit right.

[armthehomeless]

Re: lighting

Your bulb is what is commonly referred to as an 50/50 bulb. As eklikewhoa stated, you are still getting 65W (that is a measurement of power) but the actinic part is not doing much for you (as you stated).

Switch over to a 65W 6700K light (any brand) with the same pin configuration - that way you don't have to worry about convertors.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: lighting

More about Aqquarium Lighting

[lachupacabra]

Re: lighting

okay so i dont have to replace the bulb as long as i'm getting 65w right? But i really don't like the blueness so i'm considering changing bulbs.

so as long as i find a light bulb with the same base (gray part) it will work?  



can i get these light bulbs from anywhere (as long as theyre 6,700k - 10,000k and 65w) like home depot or lowes, or do i have to specially order them from a website?



thank you for your previous responses and the future ones!!

[eklikewhoa]

Re: lighting

You can look into the Local fish stores... I highly doubt the hardware store will have what you need and if they come close it will be a awful spectrum.

[lachupacabra]

Re: lighting

okay cool, i'm going to dans tomorrow so hopefully he can help me out with it.


thanks for the help!