Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

[catfishblues]

I just bought a used compact fluorescent bulb made for coral and I wanted to know what kind of bulbs are best for plants on these fixtures. The reason I don't know as much about this is because instead of doing research I bought a very cheap used light off of craigslist that is nearly brand new and very nice. any help is appreciated!

 

[wroberson]

I used a CFL in a 10g and the plants thrived. I also tried CFL's on a 55g and I didn't like having 3 spotlights.

 

[Mikaila31]

Thats because you didn't have enough CFL bulbs on the 55 to distribute the light .

As far as the OP is talking I think he means power compacts as I have not seen a SW fixture with spiral compacts. In which case anything from 5000K to 10,000K technically works. Mainly depends on what color you like. I dislike the overpowering green/yellow you get at lower kelvins and use bulbs above 7000K. My most preferred is GE's 9,325K bulb, but it only comes in certain sizes.