Hardware store PAR 38 white LED

[harriskma]

Is this light bulb okay for reef keeping?

Feit Electric Dimmable 90W-Equivalent PAR38 5K LED Bulb

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/feit-electric-dimmable-90w-equivalent-par38-5k-led-bulb-0520753p.html#.VPHsPigXjjQ

 

 

It has only white light (which should actually be a combination of all visible light in my limited understanding of things), but other than that seems essentially the same. I'm not really concerned about colours so much as the health of the livestock.

 

My set up is a 5 gal currently with only one fish, a snail, and 2 hermit crabs. I plan to add coral eventually and want to make sure the light will be okay for them.

[zooman72]

It will probably support coral growth (to a point), but everything will look like crap, trust me. This question has been asked many times here, and the answer really hasn't changed.

 

You would be better served to look into a reef-specific Par30 from Coral Compulsion - much better coloration and growth potential, and really not that expensive in the grand scheme of reef aquarium lighting.

[harriskma]

Thanks. I'm pretty new to this and want to start out with an inexpensive set up. Get familiar with the hobby then I'll upgrade to a bigger tank and invest in lighting that will look better.

 

As long as that bulb will give beginner level corals the light they need I'm really not worried about the appearance of things. I'm personally more interested in the animals and their interactions rather than the aesthetics of the tank.

 

I really appreciate the quick response! thanks again

[zooman72]

OK, no problem, and good luck, but please note that your sentiment has been an over-riding theme for many beginners since I started here, and while not necessarily flawed, one will often find themselves wishing they had used the proper equipment from the beginning instead of always planning to upgrade. You may find yourself spending more with multiple upgrades then if you had simply started with "tried & true" equipment that is "proven" - spend some time on here reading through the fantastic (and voluminous) amount of informative threads, and you may see what I am referring to.

 

Either way, as I said, good luck, and to NR...

[Marc.The.Shark]

You'd be better off with a couple of these

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151220051836?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

I have one over my frag rack in my sump, does ok with the couple blue led's in there with the whites. Will give you a little better spectrum & color.

[Halo_003]

OK, no problem, and good luck, but please note that your sentiment has been an over-riding theme for many beginners since I started here, and while not necessarily flawed, one will often find themselves wishing they had used the proper equipment from the beginning instead of always planning to upgrade. You may find yourself spending more with multiple upgrades then if you had simply started with "tried & true" equipment that is "proven" - spend some time on here reading through the fantastic (and voluminous) amount of informative threads, and you may see what I am referring to.

 

This is exactly what happened to me. I spent about $350 in equipment for my first tank. On the new tank I've had to replace almost all of it.

[zooman72]

This is exactly what happened to me. I spent about $350 in equipment for my first tank. On the new tank I've had to replace almost all of it.

 

I think that it actually happens with the majority of aquarists, but some stick to trying to cheaper alternatives for a longer period of time than others...