Re: Fluorex Lights

["Giancarlo" <gp at isaconsulting_com>]

I've read people having problems with what would appear to be faulty bulbs,
but the ones that don't blow out straight away apparently have been burning
for years without problems. The ballasts as with all self-ballasted bulbs
IMO are not the best and I've had a GE burn out with fireworks in the garage
which is why I no longer use them indoors. The product is cheap even
compared to normal flood light so no argument here, but we have to take into
consideration that for what the light is made and marketed for we can't
expect LOA to have to provide detailed accurate specs, after all it's just a
cheap outdoor flood light. We would like to have these figures to evaluate
their validity for aquarium use but then again how many outdoor flood lights
carry such detailed info? Anyway, the comparison between the Fluorex 65W and
55W CF to my unaided eyes looks pretty good as far as intensity goes, color
temp could be a little redder. The bulb is being tested by someone in the
industry with the proper testing equipment so we'll soon have more accurate
specs. I would never suggest these over something like a AHSupply CF kit but
you hear a lot of different economic lights being used on the lower end of
the budget and I think the Fluorex bulbs can hold their own in that
category.

This is a link to the message posted to the UniQuaria group with attached
photos of the same tank with a AHSupply light and a Fluorex bulb. The color
sure doesn't match but intesity doesn't look that bad.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UniQuaria/message/62196

Some other photos taken of the bulb details:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UniQuaria/message/62179

As I said, it's an alternative to cheaper solutions. If you can/want to
spend the money on AHSupply lights (which are priced very well) definetly go
with them (I did). If you're looking at all the shelves at Home Depot and
similar stores for cheap alternatives these could be of some interest. Also
Home Depot has a good return policy so if you happen to pick up a lemon
they'll replace it without any problems (always helps). They even took back
a 2 month old timer that fell in the tank last week! Gave me a new one no
questions asked.

I'm setting up an open quarantine tank with one of these lights hanging
overhead so soon I'll be able to post some images and details on how plants
are doing (or not doing) with this light.

Giancarlo


--- Original Message ---

I am certainly open to the idea that I could be wrong but so far I haven't
seen anything that would change my opinion. I have heard many complaints
about those fixtures over the past few years. If I actually had one of those
light fixtures I would not be able to easily test it myself without a lot of
work. That sort of data should be supplied by the fixture manufacturer and
the lamp manufacturer. The fact that they don't provide it is rather
telling.

It is a certainty though that a 65 watt fluorescent lamp does not produce
8000 lumens. It is also certain that no fluorescent lamp is more efficient
than HPS as LOA claims. LOA has been around for quite a while. IMO they
consistantly make very low cost and poor light fixtures and exagerated and
misleading claims about their products.  I am not really inclined to cut
them a lot of slack. I do own a couple of their shoplights which, after
throwing out the existing primitive ballast and putting in a good one, I
like very much. Good paint finish, nice and compact and light but what they
say about their own products I take with a grain of salt.

Wayne