Par value of 16w 6500K bulbs?

[denverhoss]

I didn't get much response on this in my local club forum, so I'll try it with this crowd-

I picked up one of the 6500K reflector flood CF bulbs at HD to play with, and I'm wondering if anyone has ever tested the PAR value per watt for those compared to MH and T5. They are so cool and easy to clean I bet you can run then right next to the water, and if you put a bunch of them on flex mounts you could aim one at each coral. If they put out a realistic PAR per watt I may try putting a half dozen on one side of my hood along with the blue T5s for balance. Has anyone heard of someone who has done more than speculate on these and actually run some scientific tests? I can't find anything searching RC. Grimm said that the reflectors aren't efficient (twisty tubes never are) and heat kills them in less than a year. They look pretty bright for 16 watts, and I think they're under warranty, but I won't experiment too much until I see some PAR values to compare them.

Thanks! Hoss

[denverhoss]

Someone must have a PAR meter and some time to kill... It would make a great Science Fair project for the kids!

[Pescados]

contact grim, he has a meter that he may loan you.

[denverhoss]

He does? I guess I wouldn't be the first person asking him for help.