Energy saving bulbs?

I have my hood set up with two 10k energy saving bulbs that are running at 18watts but supposed to put out 60watts each of light. Also two 40 watt actinic.
Has anyone tried this before? It really looks amazing. And the heat is very low compared to my MH 175s and the light output is similar.

So, its its 200watts total light in a 90 gallon. But really only using 116 watts of power.
I am even thinking of adding 2 more energy bulbs if I DO go with corals at some point to bump it up to 320 watts of light.


Just curious if its been tried with any soft corals? or even just FOWLR.
Someone else must have tried this.

 

Midnight madman

what shape are these energy saving bulbs

a watt is a unit of power , it indicates the amount of electricity the lamp uses

if the lamps are like 2 long tubes side by side with a bridging piece of glass at the far end

if the lamps are like an elongated U shape and there are 2 or maybe 3 of these use fitted into the plastic body

if these lamps are spiral shapes

all of these have something in common, in that much of the light gets sent to areas that are of no use to us - the light gets sent to the parrallel or adjascent tube and thus some of that power is being wasted, because you cant get a perfect reflector for this things as you can for a straight tube like a T5

Many of the energy saving lamps - also known as compact flourescent lamps
are used in a metal shade to illuminate fuges with macro algaes in

but for a DT , especially one with light demanding corals in there
these lamps are not the best way to go IMHO

Steve

 

They are the spiral style. The light is intense that comes out of them. I also have a polished reflector in the hood.

 

for many soft corals they are going to be OK IMHO
how big is the tank and what do you have in there

One thing to be aware of is they do lose ouput quicker than alternative light sources
and the colour temperature in degrees Kelvin ( K) will also be reduced over a period of time

replacement every 9 months or sooner would be a good idea IMO
otherwise you might find yourself experiencing some algae problems as the lower K being generated is preffered by these

Steve

 

Its a 90 with nothing in it yet. Except substrate.
Just getting set up.
I have the dual 175s from a few years ago when I had soft corals.