5 gallon bowfront lighting?

[Bob I]

Originally Posted by Samw

I've seen 6500K self ballasted power compact bulbs (9 or 15W) at Big Al's and Aquariums West. Albrite carries the Panasonic Gen IV 5000K bulbs in 4 different wattages up to 23W. They also carry Galux 6500K bulbs.
I can't tell you what the maximum wattage to use though in that canopy. It was mentioned that there is a maximum of 25W but I don't know if that applies to power compact bulbs. At IKEA, I've seen fixtures that have labels that say maximum 60W for incandescent and maximum 11W (or something close) for power compacts on the same fixture so I don't know why it isn't 60W max regardless of bulb type.

The problem usually is heat Sam. Some self ballasted PC bulbs get very warm, and Ikea does not want you to melt their canopy, and blame them I guess.

BTW I have a 15W screw in PC bulb in a very small plastic canopy over my refugium, and it works very well.