Lighting Wattage Definition

LCDRDATA · 07/03/2008, 09:00 PM

Background - We're just setting up a new reef tank (75 gallon) and trying to figure out lighting. In the meantime we have three 6500K compact fluorescents on the tank, from bulbs we've been using to replace our regular home lighting. Each of these bulbs is 26W, which is supposed to be equivalent light output to a standard 100W incandescent bulb.

Question - the generic rules of thumb are stated in terms of so many watts of lighting per gallon. However, the different possible forms of lighting have different light output per watt. So, for our current, temporary lighting, do I count the lighting as 78 watts (roughly 1 watt per gallon), or as the incandescent equivalent of 300 watts (roughly 4 watts per gallon)?

Thanks!

tangtang81 · 07/03/2008, 09:34 PM

wow im confused

PaulErik · 07/03/2008, 09:46 PM

Incandescent lamps are low efficiency (light output per watt). The energy saving bulbs designed to replace incandescent bulbs are compact fluorescent lamps. These are less efficient than metal halide and most linear fluorescent bulbs. Comparing wattages is difficult but you have 78-watts of compact fluorescent lights. Different bulb efficiencies and different reflector designs make watts per gallon a poor measurement.

07/03/2008, 09:00 PM	#1
LCDRDATA Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 225	Lighting Wattage Definition Background - We're just setting up a new reef tank (75 gallon) and trying to figure out lighting. In the meantime we have three 6500K compact fluorescents on the tank, from bulbs we've been using to replace our regular home lighting. Each of these bulbs is 26W, which is supposed to be equivalent light output to a standard 100W incandescent bulb. Question - the generic rules of thumb are stated in terms of so many watts of lighting per gallon. However, the different possible forms of lighting have different light output per watt. So, for our current, temporary lighting, do I count the lighting as 78 watts (roughly 1 watt per gallon), or as the incandescent equivalent of 300 watts (roughly 4 watts per gallon)? Thanks!

07/03/2008, 09:34 PM	#2
tangtang81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: FL Posts: 276	wow im confused

07/03/2008, 09:46 PM	#3
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	Incandescent lamps are low efficiency (light output per watt). The energy saving bulbs designed to replace incandescent bulbs are compact fluorescent lamps. These are less efficient than metal halide and most linear fluorescent bulbs. Comparing wattages is difficult but you have 78-watts of compact fluorescent lights. Different bulb efficiencies and different reflector designs make watts per gallon a poor measurement.