CFL problem

[mikepao13]

Hi guys,

where i leave, Cyprus, I annot find any cfl's more than 23watts!!

Is it true that in europe is the max watts in that type of bulbs?

Anyone from europe has any advise / info / recommentation?

[rahjelli]

23w is perfect to me, thats what I use myself here in the states. I have 6 of them, 3 on each side of my screen on a 120 gallon tank, no other filtration

[mikepao13]

Problem is that my screen is 19 x 13 and i use 4 x 23watts 2700k on each side!! and it seems its not enought or i've got to many nutrients in the tank. ATS is running a month now.

[rahjelli]

but whats your test readings is the important thing. Is Nitrate/Nitrite/Phosphate/Ammonia zero or close to zero or not climbing? Are you doing water changes (asking because you shouldn't need to). Hows your screen flow btw? only gave pics of cleaning.

If your water levels with feeding stay consistent and eventually get to zero if they arent already then dont sweat the algae color, nature will run its course and change it, gotta remember its only been 4 weeks and you said yourself algae in your display has taken a huge dive! once rock and substrate leaches are all gone it will more than likely start turning green

[mikepao13]

Coll,thanks and i will keep you updated.

So i dont need the 1 watt per sq. inch rule?

Btw i will try to find some stronger ones.

[Gigaah]

Are you using spot lights? or reflectors?

[mikepao13]

No reflectors, just normal spiral cfl's.

[Gigaah]

You should use CFL flood lights or have/make reflectors. buying reflectors or using CFL flood lights. make a gigantic difference.

What brand/model pump are you using?

[rahjelli]

oh your using SPIRALS? I agree with Gigaah, My 23w are R40 floodlights, you definitely have to change to those if you can, if you don't have reflectors on your spirals you are losing a TON of light, especially since your using a black tub. alternatively if you can't get floodlights, get another tub in white plastic or clear plastic and spray paint the outside gloss white (thats what I did) the light will bounce all over the place inside whether or not you have a reflector.

[mikepao13]

Do you mean this?

[attachment=0:1bko5qxy]62.jpg[/attachment:1bko5qxy]

Whats the total length? May be is to big for my box.

Box was clear and i painted it black not to loose any light!!!!

[mikepao13]

I will post some more of my ATS here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=619&start=30 (http://www.algaescrubber.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=619&start=30)

[rahjelli]

yup thats them, total length is 6 inches from base to top when screwed into the socket. So you will need about 9-10 inches on each side of the screen to use them (to give you 3-4 inches clearance from the screen to not overheat it)