18W vs. 36W

[simplystephanie]

the daylight in biocube just died :(

so I was looking online for new lights and ran across an 18 watt and a 36 watt... is there a huge difference?

also, would it be better to stick with the 18 watt for my 8 gallon tank, or upgrade to a 36?
:^:

 

[XxKnuckleheadxX]

what do you have in your tank? and what do you plan on adding?

 

[simplystephanie]

what do you have in your tank? and what do you plan on adding?

I have live rock and ricordea florida mushrooms... I'm not sure what I want to add to my tank later... a few other soft corals, nothing fancy, and a fish (probably a firefish or clownfish)

 

[XxKnuckleheadxX]

how big is your bio cube?

 

[simplystephanie]

how big is your bio cube?

8 gallons

 

[XxKnuckleheadxX]

i would stick with the 18

 

[simplystephanie]

The light died about an hour ago... and a new (18watt) is on back order until August 15... will the tank be okay?

 

[XxKnuckleheadxX]

just go to a local fish store? you being in southern california there are lots of places..your shrooms might wither away with no light for so long.. its not sunny every day on the reef. but few weeks is long period with no light.

 

[simplystephanie]

just go to a local fish store? you being in southern california there are lots of places..your shrooms might wither away with no light for so long.. its not sunny every day on the reef. but few weeks is long period with no light.

I've called half a dozen fish stores around the area and not too many of them carry oceanic products... most of them order off of Fosters and Smith (which have the back orders) But one store has a 36 watt available

 

[bjohanson1234]

I would also get the 18w

I looked up on the Drs web site and it says that it is an 18w staight pin.
Any brand would work. It doesnt have to be Oceanics.

I am not sure if the 36w would fit. It would be twice the size.
Also not sure if the ballast would be able to drive it.

Brian

 

[simplystephanie]

I would also get the 18w

I looked up on the Drs web site and it says that it is an 18w staight pin.
Any brand would work. It doesnt have to be Oceanics.

I am not sure if the 36w would fit. It would be twice the size.
Also not sure if the ballast would be able to drive it.

Brian

so just as long as it's "DAYLIGHT 10,000K - 12k 18W STRAIGHT PIN LINEAR"... I'm good to go?

 

[XxKnuckleheadxX]

yup it doesnt have to be oceanic, it just needs to be 18 watts and the size you need and same pin..

 

[simplystephanie]

yup it doesnt have to be oceanic, it just needs to be 18 watts and the size you need and same pin..

awesome! i just ordered one online... it should be here in a few days... so what do i do in the mean time for lighting??

 

[Wes888]

You should be fine without light for a few days. For me, I would get a cheap home depot light holder with reflector ($7) with one of those regular spiral florescent light that's has 10,000K color for like $5. You can always use that kind of light holder else where, or make an algae scrubber just for fun. :)

 

[daugherty]

you will have to use the 18w one your ballest will not light the 36 watt bulb.

 

[Bifferwine]

The 10,000K - 12K part doesn't matter either. That's just the color of the bulb.