All-Glass Mini Power Compact Fluorescent Lamp

[cutechic]

Big Al's Online is having a sale right now:

All-Glass Mini Power Compact Fluorescent Lamp- 10 W for $18 Canadian. My current lamp 10 W Fluorescent (in my 5 gallon planted tank) originally cost $13 and still has a few month's life in it. This All-Glass lamp is supposed to be more efficient and beneficial to plants.

In my tank there are 1 anubias var. nana, 1 wisteria, and 1 bacopa.

Has anyone used an All-Glass lamp before? How well do they work? I don't want to spend a lot of money on a lamp, so is this a good deal?

Here's the picture and review:

"This bulb provides 6500 k light that promotes live aquatic plant growth for your fresh and saltwater aquariums. Longer 6000 hour life replaces 6 incandescent bulbs and the mini compact uses less energy to operate. All-glass mini compact aquarium bulbs are c ul us listed and operate on 110 - 130 vac."

TIA

 

[Great Lakes]

If that will be the only bulb in your tank, it will look yellow due to the 6500k spectrum. If you like the yellow look, it is probably a good bulb. Those type of flourescents are gaining popularity.

GL

 

[cutechic]

It will be the only bulb in the aquarium. I don't really mind the yellow look- my water is brownish due to the driftwood in the tank, so as long as the bulb doesn't make my tank look really yellow I'm fine with it.

I heard that bulbs that emit different colours are good for different types of plants. Would a bulb that looks yellow be good for the types of plants I have?

 

[Adrinal]

 

[cutechic]

I guess I would prefer it if the light was white, but if this bulb is a good deal than I may as well just get it while it's on sale

The Home Depot near me has no lights that would fit into the hood of my 5 gallon, so I need to get my lamps from the lfs.

 

[Adrinal]

 

[cutechic]

oh, 5g... ya this one would not fit... and if you are not growing plants or corals... probably would blow your little fish out of the water

LOL wouldn't that make a pretty sight

I have wisteria, anubias, and bacopa in the 5 gallon, but it would still probably be too powerful. The plants seem to be growing fine with the cheap bulb I bought from the lfs.

 

[Sky042]

6500K isn't yello at all. It's nearly perfect looking natural light.
I have a simlar bulb in my 5G hex thats 11W 6500K full spectrum. I use it on both my small tanks and they look great.

 

[StanTheBetta]

I think I'm looking at the same thing as you but I clicked on the united states site and it says $5.99. I can't believe it'd be $18 in canadian and only $5.99 US? If I am looking at the same thing... exactly what are the dimensions on that bulb? I'd love a fluorescent light in my 1 gal. I dunno about growing plants in there though. 10watts to the gallon seems kind of high lol. I'm curious about the yellow tint someone mentioned though. Thats sort of why I want to switch to a fluorescent. I think my betta is beautiful and I don't think the incandescent light does him justice. If it'll fit in my 1 gallon betta tank I'd love to have a couple of those

 

[Sky042]

The one I use is actually available at wal-mart for $4.49 USD

 

[Pescado Guy]

Yeah, I thought 6500K was very close to daylight. Anyway, I would get the bulb. It is a great deal and your plants will love you!!

 

[DogFish]

You guys in the states forget that you have items available to you that we in Canada do not! And cheaper of course!

I have two of the $18 CF bulbs in my 10 gallon and they are great. It is a white daylight, very attractive to fish and plants, and provides lots of light for my java ferns, watersprite, anubias, and saggitaria to grow well.

 

[cutechic]

Great Thanks for all the help everyone! I've decided to get the CF bulb