Lumens?? Wats best judge of light intensity? PAR?

frugalreefer01 · 11/14/2011, 07:57 AM

Ok so im shopping for a new light and im confused i am comparing lights by wattage, spectrum, etc. Well some lights (like t5s & sum leds) are giving me lumens as a stat.

Is this applicable?

I kno when it comes to growing plants like tomatoes lumens is applicable but is it also wen considered to corals?

Just wondering and also anyone heard of the reeftorch?
Supposedly 12000 lumen led aquarium light but specs on marinelands 48" reef capable light say it puts out like 1200 lumens??
Stumped?
Also i saw a 4ft 4 bulb t5 fixture claim the same 12000 lumens as the 100w reef torch, but if these stats are right this horticultural t5 puts out 10x the light of the marineland REEF light?

Makes no sense, and before someone tells me i know a t5 bulb of horticultural spectrum is gonna have more intensity than lets say a t5 actinic, i know that

ganjero · 11/14/2011, 10:38 AM

Lumens are a measurement of how much light the human eyes pensive. IMO an easy and outdated way to categorized bulbs that should only be use when talking about bulbs used for illumination purposes only. Not even for growing tomatoes lumens are the best measurement. PAR and spectrum is what you should be looking for when lighting photosynthetic organisms. Most retailers will not give you PAR numbers because there are many variables that will influence the results (reflectors, ballasts, optics, bulbs, etc). Decided what spectrum you need for your application and do some research here on RC and on the web to find info about PAR.

11/14/2011, 07:57 AM	#1
frugalreefer01 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: englewood Posts: 49	Lumens?? Wats best judge of light intensity? PAR? Ok so im shopping for a new light and im confused i am comparing lights by wattage, spectrum, etc. Well some lights (like t5s & sum leds) are giving me lumens as a stat. Is this applicable? I kno when it comes to growing plants like tomatoes lumens is applicable but is it also wen considered to corals? Just wondering and also anyone heard of the reeftorch? Supposedly 12000 lumen led aquarium light but specs on marinelands 48" reef capable light say it puts out like 1200 lumens?? Stumped? Also i saw a 4ft 4 bulb t5 fixture claim the same 12000 lumens as the 100w reef torch, but if these stats are right this horticultural t5 puts out 10x the light of the marineland REEF light? Makes no sense, and before someone tells me i know a t5 bulb of horticultural spectrum is gonna have more intensity than lets say a t5 actinic, i know that

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11/14/2011, 10:38 AM	#2
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	Lumens are a measurement of how much light the human eyes pensive. IMO an easy and outdated way to categorized bulbs that should only be use when talking about bulbs used for illumination purposes only. Not even for growing tomatoes lumens are the best measurement. PAR and spectrum is what you should be looking for when lighting photosynthetic organisms. Most retailers will not give you PAR numbers because there are many variables that will influence the results (reflectors, ballasts, optics, bulbs, etc). Decided what spectrum you need for your application and do some research here on RC and on the web to find info about PAR.