redgal

I'm a complete beginner to aquariums and I have just purchased a Hagen Solar Incandescent Canopy (Model # A-2831) for a new 10g tank. I've since learned that fluorescent lighting is way better. Is there a type/brand of fluorescent bulb that I can use in this incandescent canopy? I will probaby have to order from Big Al's so if anyone can point out what I need I would be very grateful. It's probably a dumb question but I'm a complete novice and not very technically savy so bear with me!

Cheers, Kath

pepetj

Your question isn't dumb at all. As far as electric-fire safety, this is a very important question.

As a rule of thumb, you could change an incandescent bulb for a similar fluorescent as far as wattage goes. Keep in mind that the wattage efficiency of incandescent bulbs is around 25% of its rated value (in terms of light plants would use). That means that a 15W incandescent bulb is likely giving your plants the same amount of light a 4W fluorescent would render. Upgrading to a 9Watts fluorescent would be like placing a 36W incandescent lamp there.

The easiest solution would be to get a mini compact fluorescent light that can be attached to the screw-in contacts incandescents bulbs use.

Check this option in Big Al's
http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCat...ype=0&offset=0

Another option would be to replace the lamp assembly you have for a compatible one designed for fluorescent lamps. I couldn't find your assembly specifications so maybe if you write an email to Big Al they could assist you.

More complicated and dangerous: a DIY upgrading. Wiring a fluorescent tube usually requires a ballast transformer and a device called a starter. Voltage in those transformers can get pretty high. You need to be careful when re-wiring or upgrading a lamp assembly, more so if it is going to work quite close to a body of water.

I have tampered with lamp assemblies in my tanks. I have received my share of electricity as well, that is not pleasant and honestly too dangerous -good thing that in my city, AC is barely 110volts not 220 as in Europe.

The plastic cover standard canopies that come with most 10gal tanks usually can take up to 17W but most commonly will have fluorescents or incandescent lamps rated at 15W.

Smaller tanks, like 5gal commonly use incandescent light bulbs, rated at 15W and come with printed warnings for not adding another bulb there: the plastic could melt and therefor a major risk for a fire. A compact fluorescent rated at 7 or 9watts could be placed there, most adaptations place the ballast-transformer outside the assembly, far from the tank.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

GreenMan13

I'm going to assume this is for a freshwater tank. If that's the case you probably don't want the 50/50 bulb pepetj suggested because you don't need the actinic part of the light.

I couldn't find that hood either so I'm going to assume it used plain screw in bulbs. If this is the case just go to the hardware store or walmart-esk store there and get some daylight CFLs. Something like this. Just look on the hood for a max wattage and do not get bulbs that are larger then that wattage. ACTUAL WATTAGE not EFFECTIVE WATTAGE.

redgal

Thank you so much guys, I'm learning so much, and here I was just thinking I'll get a couple of fish....lol. This is a while new experience for me!


Sorry, yes it is for a freshwater aquarium.

The hood says a max ogf 25watts and it has two normal screw in sockets, so I need to get two 8-10watt range cfl bulbs right? I think that's the lowest they make them and they need to be compact ones to fit it looks like.
Good job I checked this because the LFS guy gave me two incadescent 15w bulbs which is above the max wattage!

Thanks again, Kath

pepetj

Go figure... I'm glad you checked. Your canopy would likely get damaged with 30W there.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

GreenMan13

Most likely your hood actually says "MAX 25 watt bulb" meaning each can be up to 25 watts so the two 15 watts incadescents would be fine. I don't think I have ever seen a socket that is lower then 25 watts and is still a normal size screw bulb.

They do mas produce smaller bulbs down to 5 watts if you want. Two 10's would be pretty good though. I have two 14watts CFLs in my 10 gallon hood currently.