http://www.trammellphoto.com/bulb-lighting/
Aquarium Bulb (lighting) Types
Common aquarium bulbs include the:
*T-12; a standard pin, 1-1/2” wide bulb. This bulb will generally use more watts
*T-8; a standard pin, 1” wide bulb. As compared to the T-12, a 48” T-12 will use 32 watts, while a 48” T-8 will use 32 watts.
*T-5; Generally around 13 mm in diameter. This is a mini pin bulb which generally uses even less watts per lumen than many than T-8 bulbs.
*T-2; These bulbs are the latest technology yet. They measure only 7 mm and allow for several bulbs in a small space. A 13 watt 20 inch T-2 Bulb (6400 K) produces 950 lumens which is 73 lumens per watt in a very small space!
Quite bluntly, these T2 lamps and fixtures are about the best bulbs in a small space I have seen! These are very useful for small planted aquariums or Nano Reefs or even shelves for betta breeders. I expect these new T-2 lamps to sweep the smaller aquarium keeping hobby due to their extremely high efficiency and out put.
*VHO; this stands for “Very High Output”. These come in T-5 thru T-12 standard fluorescent tubes and in the newer power compact (usually 4 pin) lamps such as the New generation Via Aqua Helios VHO . The new Helios come in a variety of sizes with outputs up to 180 watts out of lamps under 40 inches in length, which rival many Metal Halide (although not in depth penetration). These new higher output VHO fixtures/lamps have higher Kelvin and wattage output than previous generation VHO lamps/fixtures of similar size. These can be used for both marine reef applications as well as freshwater planted aquariums (these new VHOs are not scheduled for full release to the public until early 2008).
*PC; this stands for “Power Compact”. These bulbs come in straight pin arrangements, square pin arrangements, and the ever more popular self ballasted standard incandescent fixture “screw in” type. These bulbs along with T-5s tend to be the most efficient.
A new Power Compact that in my opinion is awesome for planted aquariums and even for reef aquariums (as an addition to LED or Metal Halide) is the self ballasted SHO PC bulbs. The 105 Watt SHO Daylight bulb puts out 6300 lumens and is comparable to a 525 watt Standard bulb (click on the picture for a link). This comes out to 60 lumens per watt, however this is a deceptive guide, as you can fit many more of these bulbs in a given space and also utilize more efficient reflectors.
The SHO can be mounted into your hood using a standard incandescent fixture or better, hung as a pendant light using reflector similar to how Metal Halides are commonly installed
*Metal Halide (MH); These are the reigning “Kings” of reef aquarium due to depth penetration, output, spectrum, and over all beauty and amount of coral life they help support. Even the newer T-5 lamps cannot achieve the depth penetration and overall output of these lights.
Metal Halide work via a gas mixture of halides and other elements. The actual light production comes from the small bubble of gas that is held in place by metal wires and/or supports. The electricity running between them and the small gas bubble, heats them, similar to an incandescent filament. This is one of the reasons that Metal Halide bulbs give off more heat than other bulbs.
The downside is the heat that MH lights produce, often resulting in the need for hood fans and even chillers. Two sizes I most often have used are the 10,000 K 175 watts and the 20,000 K 250 watts for really deep tanks (over 30”)
*LED: The new reef compatible LED is likely to take over the market as they become more readily available, the price comes down and watts per lumen come up. These lights do not have the heat problems and are very compact. LED lights may prove to be more suitable for aquatic life tank-lighting and reef tanks because they offer superior flexibility when compared with traditional fluorescent lighting. When LED lights operate, the photometric radiation remains within a narrow band on the electromagnetic spectrum. Specific photometric wavelengths are often beneficial to some aquatic plant life and reef tanks. Controlling specific wavelengths becomes possible through a basic network of colored LED lights connected to a digital LED controller. Since LEDs emit light only in very specific direction, the installer has the option to illuminate a precise area by simply rotating the polycarbonate tube casing. The water resistant casing also provides the LED circuitry with adequate protection against moisture and chemicals found within the fish tank or reef tank.
So far the there are mixed reviews on the larger units such as the Solaris that replace the MH. The manufacturer of the Solaris claims “PAR light output levels equal to a 400W MH 20k. It uses 40% less energy than the 400W MH 20k fixtures it replaces. The life of the LEDs is approximately 50,000 hours, so it almost eliminates metal halide and fluorescent bulb replacements. All heat is radiated up and away from the tank; therefore, it does not heat the water like Metal Halides or Fluorescents. This eliminates the need for Chillers.” However data shows 20 lumens per watt, MH bulbs provide around 50 lumens per watt as the output.
For more information about aquarium lighting, pease see this URL from which this article is snipped: “Aquarium Lighting and How it works”
About the Author
By Carl Strohmeyer
Cold Electricity lighting a bulb
|
|
Intermatic EH40 240-Volt Electronic Water Heater Timer $64.39 Intermatic EH40 Energy Controls – Electronic Time Switches – Water Heater… |
|
|
Intermatic T101 24 Hour Dial Timer $44.72 This heavy duty mechanical time switch is designed for industrial, commercial and residential applications. The high horsepower rating is ideal for loads up to 40 amps resistive from 120-volts providing direct 24 hour time switch control of most loads. All Models Are Equipped With: One “ON” And One “OFF” Tripper 1 Circuit Standard On/Off Single Pole Single Throw 40 Amps, 4000 Watt Capacity, 120 Vo… |
|
|
2 Pack Tork P47 – Trippers – 1 ON and 1 OFF – For 1100 7000 and 1800 Series $1.95 tork nsi P47 trippers. Includes 1 on and 1 off. Good for 1100 series (except FM models). For 7000 series. For 1800 series (24 hour only)…. |
|
|
All-Glass Aquarium Black 24 Fluorescent Strip Lite $29.45 Replacement light for Versa-Hood or Full Hood, or it can be used wherever extra lighting is needed.Features internally mounted ballast with instant-start circuit that allows you to operate on a timer or switch-controlled outlet…. |
|
|
Neon Lights $1.79 Neon Lights is Simple Minds’ covers album. Frankly, these projects often serve little purpose beyond announcing that the artists concerned have run out of original ideas. With the Simple Minds’ new album of freshly composed material, Our Secrets Are the Same, now shelved due to legal complications, the Minds have opted to doff their caps in the direction of the heroes of their youth, such as David… |
|
|
8 Inch, Indus Classic, Lot of 2 Himalayan Rock Crystal Salt Lamps 7~10 Lbs Comes with Shrink Wrapped, Cord, Bulbs. Get Free 125 Grams Gourmet Pink Edible Food Grade Salt. $26.25 Authorized online retailer of IndusClassic brand is only TigerDive. Indus Classic brings for Special Mother day Gifts for you from HIMALAYA. Whether you are seeking a decorative devotional collectible for your personal enjoyment, or a very unique gift for those you love, place your orders and you will amazed with our professional service and romantic and unique and Natural product! LAMPS come with… |
|
|
The Rainmakers / The Lamplighters $1.99 … |
|
|
Classic Light & Light Bulb Films DVD: 1940s – 1960s History Of Artificial Light Including The Science Of Light Films $12.99 We’ve collected four rare light films onto one educational DVD packed with great old footage that was lost in the vaults for years until it was digitized and preserved for the future. You can’t find this DVD collection anywhere else because we’ve designed it ourselves. Come shed some light on the history of science with these illuminating films! Table Of Contents: (1) White Magic (1940) – This Jam… |
|
|
The Evolution of Light Bulbs: Light Of Your Life (1950s) [DVD] $9.99 Light of Your Life shows the role of light bulbs in the lives of everyday people and covers the evolution of light bulbs through time. The film starts with Nancy and an animated miniature professor from a light bulb who lectures her about the significance of light bulbs. The professor gives a lecture on the development of light bulbs, its parts like coils and filament inside and how these parts br… |
|
|
TV Lamp Module XL-2100U for SONY KDF-42WE655, KDF-50WE655, KDF-60XBR950, KDF-70XBR950, KF-42SX300, KF-42WE610, KF-42WE620, KF-50W610, KF-50WE610, KF-60WE610, KF-WE42, KF-WE50, KF-WS60, KDF-42WE355, KDF-60X8R950 $36.49 New Sony compatible lamp complete with housing and 90 day warranty for KF-50SX300, KF-50W610, KDF-42WE655, KDF-50WE655, KDF-60XBR950, KDF-70XBR950, KF-42WE610, KF-50WE610, KF-60WE610, KF-42WE620, KF-50WE620, KF-60WE620… |
|
|
GE Automatic Safety Night Light (Set of 2) $20.99 Always leave the light on with this automatic safety night light Picture light will help light the way from dusk to dawn with its cool burning 4-watt bulbLighting mounts directly over the outlet wall plate thereby preventing access |