New to lighting

[jawz]

Ok i have a FOWLR setup, 35 gallon tank, with 11 lbs live rock and 40 lbs base rock. Currently i have a single normal fish tank light with what i believe is a 6500k light inside it. I have a higher rated bulb, like way up there at according to the package 18000k of the "power-glo" brand, but that doesnt work inside my normal light.
I do not know very much about theses lighting systems, so id like to know why that bulb isnt compatitable? Is it cuz i need a power compact?
Also what kind of lighting system should i look into buying for my fowlr tank? which i most likely NEVER turn into a reef.
Thank you,
GF

 

[hattrick58]

I recently added sdome soft corals to my 80 gal and installed a 110 x 4 VHO and the corals are thriving VERY well. If you're not going to turn it into a reef tank, this would be ideal. I found them at Hello Lights. com.

 

[shmeeb]

you don't need a compact flo to use a power glo. how does it not work inside your light fixture? what i mean is, does it not fit, or not come on . . .? IMO if you're going to use a regular flo, then power glos are the way to go.

 

[jawz]

i have a powerglo lightbulb, 15 watt, 18 inche i believe, it fits in perfectly fine, but does not turn on.
Is there something im doin wrong when i place the bulb in? a specific way its supposed to sit?

 

[jawz]

hmm the spare bulb was given to me possibly used, i shoke it and i heard rattling so the filament might be burned out. But powerglos should work in a nomral fish tank light?

 

[nightraven]

FLO bulbs don't have filaments. What produces the light is an electrical charging of the white coating on the inside of the glass. But I agree when you shake a FLO bulb you should not hear anything rattle.

 

[jim672]

GF,
One of your original questions was: "Also what kind of lighting system should i look into buying for my fowlr tank? which i most likely NEVER turn into a reef. "
IF you don't have anything other than fish and rock, the only light you need is enough so you can see the tank and it's inhabitants comfortably. Fish and live rock don't require any specific lighting.
Jim

 

[jawz]

hmm ok id want the coraline algae to grow on the rock, thats the point of rock. So would a powerglo be good enough with its 18000k bulb?

 

[shmeeb]

that's what i'm using right now (planning on uprading), and i've got coraline gorwing everywhere. not just on the rock either, powerhead, filter intake . . .

 

[jawz]

hmm well i zipped downtown to the LFS, and picked up a nice powerglo light bulb, i asked about the marine glo, but since i have only 1 light, they recommened just powerglo or a 50/50 but that was too much for me. Well got home, switched it in, and was happy to see it fire up right away, put the light back over and i can really tell the difference, i sorta see the blueish spectrum, pretty nice. Cant wait to see its long term affects.
Just had 1 more question, how long does ur powerglos typically last?
on their site it said 7500 hours, did the math, at like 8 hrs a day, thats liek 2 1/2 years.

 

[shmeeb]

its a good idea to run them for 12 hrs a day. anyway, they start shifting spectrrum way before they actually go out. the guy i bought mine from recommended replacing every 6 months.

 

[jawz]

why is it a good idea to run them for 12 hours? ive also heard that changing them yearly is a good idea, but not sure

 

[shmeeb]

the critters in your tank will appreciate a 12 hour day.