Ron Lane
whirlabout@aol.com
Good luck - there are some additional notes below --------->
In a message dated 96-06-28 12:24:57 EDT, you write:
<< Second, important things are afoot with fluorescent fixtures. Because of
>USA legislation directed towards producing fluorescent fixtures that are
>more energy-saving, the old workhorse bulbs of CP terraria---4' CW, 40Watt
>bulbs are no longer going to be available.
The old bulbs are called T-12's which is a designation representing their
diameter. Many of the standard lamps (like your standard cool-white) are
being mandated out of existence due to their poor efficiency. The people in
Europe are probably only familiar with the new systems since they are
significantly ahead of the US in energy-efficient technologies.
>They are being replaced by a new kind of 25Watt bulb.
Nope. The new lamps are 32 watt with a significantly smaller diameter
(T-8's). To my knowledge, you cannot get a 25w 4-ft lamp...
>Unfortunately this will result in a significant
> drop in light output (something like 1900 lumens instead of 3000 lumens).
> A second new bulb, a 34Watt CW, will be available that will produce the
> original 3000 lumens with slightly less power consumption.
The 32 watt T-8 has significantly higher lumen output, often allowing
industrial applications to reduce the number of lamps while maintaining the
same light output.
>However, to run one of these one must have a new E-type ballast.
Yup - a new electronic ballast.
>Apparently putting a
> 34W bulb in an older P-type (or whatever) ballast can result in bad
> performance). So either stockpile some 40Watt bulbs or prepare yourself for
> retrofitting your fixtures...
Go for the change. There's a large array of lamps with different color
temperatures, some of which, can match or beat gro-light type lamps at a
fraction of their cost. The Grainger catalog offers a wide variety of both
ballasts and lamps at the same price industry pays (*much* less than than the
average aquarium, plant or pet shop).
>Barry
>P.S. CW stands for Cool White
Sorry for the gung-ho attitude toward these lamps but I work in industry
where this is really *old* news. We've saved millions of dollars at my
company and received awards from the EPA and industry groups for energy
efficiency. I have no vested interest in Grainger or with these lamps.
Knowing the industry & reading the Aquatic Plants Group postings, Grainger
appears to be the best bet for these units until retail stores eventually
catch on. (To purchase at Grainger, you need to have a business or be an
employee of a large company (like Johnson & Johnson) with a pre-negotiated
employee-purchase agreement. Other lighting-supply places may also have what
you need).
Archives for aquatic plants group are
available on the web at http://www.actwin.com/fish/aquatic-plants
or via FTP to ftp.actwin.com in /pub/aquaria/aquatic-plants.
Ron