W/G Calculation... - Aquarium Advice

Lonewolfblue · 12-25-2005, 08:07 PM

I'm getting a light strip that holds 4 compact bulbs, 65w each, 2 on each side of the 55G long, 48" wide. For calculating the w/g, would you use 65W/55G, 130W/55G, or 260W/55G? Not sure if you would use the total wattage or the maximum wattage of a single bulb.

Here's the setup:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ODYSSEA-48-260W-...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks....

Lonewolfblue · 12-25-2005, 08:11 PM

Also, it comes with the actinics. I also ordered more bulbs to go in it. Will be using 2 12000k and 2 6700k bulbs, and no actinics.

Jchillin · 12-25-2005, 08:16 PM

Gotta use the 260, the calculation takes in the total wattage of all bulbs.

Lonewolfblue · 12-25-2005, 08:44 PM

ok, wasn't sure as it's 4 bulbs, 2 on each side of the tank. Thought it was going to be 130/55. But ok, will go with the 260. Now that I got that ordered and on the way, I can start researching [acronym:a258e630c2="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:a258e630c2] systems and educating myself a bit more on that end. Hoping in a couple months I'll get another Walmart 55G with stand and make it a planted tank. Don't want a bigger tank as I'm saving for my real tank, anywhere from 180G-300G. But that will be about a year or so down the road.

Jchillin · 12-25-2005, 10:05 PM

I understand the thought...the individual bulbs are not lighting the entire tank. Even though the bulbs are "separate", since the tank itself is not divided, the overall light must be considered.

Would make an interesting experiment to see how much of the light from both sides are getting into the tank. There must be a mathematical equation out there somewhere...anyone?

Lonewolfblue · 12-25-2005, 11:51 PM

I was thinking 130+/55, as there's 2 bulbs per side. Would be over a bit in the middle, as you have all 4 bulbs, but on the ends of the tank, would be more like 130. Anyone else have any thoughts? Would be a good experiment. And thanks for the input Jchillin, and Merry Christmas.....

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · 12-25-2005, 11:55 PM

If you are considering the light to half the tank, then consider the volume to be half the tank aswell.. it's 260w. (the output of the fixture) / 55Gallons.

Lonewolfblue · 12-26-2005, 01:19 AM

Cool, thanks.....

greenmaji · 12-26-2005, 06:35 AM

little advace with the [acronym:86cffecddd="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:86cffecddd] units.. the 4X55Watt units use the same ballasts as the 65's and sometimes there quite a bit cheaper..
you can replace your bulbs with 65w'ers when the 55's go out..
its just an option.. :P

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · 12-26-2005, 12:23 PM

Greenmaji, I thought the bulbs came in 55/65w and were dependant on your ballast.. not the other way around.

12-25-2005, 08:07 PM	#1
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	W/G Calculation... I'm getting a light strip that holds 4 compact bulbs, 65w each, 2 on each side of the 55G long, 48" wide. For calculating the w/g, would you use 65W/55G, 130W/55G, or 260W/55G? Not sure if you would use the total wattage or the maximum wattage of a single bulb. Here's the setup: http://cgi.ebay.com/ODYSSEA-48-260W-...QQcmdZViewItem Thanks.... __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-25-2005, 08:11 PM	#2
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	Also, it comes with the actinics. I also ordered more bulbs to go in it. Will be using 2 12000k and 2 6700k bulbs, and no actinics. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-25-2005, 08:16 PM	#3
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	Gotta use the 260, the calculation takes in the total wattage of all bulbs. __________________ _________________________________

12-25-2005, 08:44 PM	#4
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	ok, wasn't sure as it's 4 bulbs, 2 on each side of the tank. Thought it was going to be 130/55. But ok, will go with the 260. Now that I got that ordered and on the way, I can start researching [acronym:a258e630c2="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:a258e630c2] systems and educating myself a bit more on that end. Hoping in a couple months I'll get another Walmart 55G with stand and make it a planted tank. Don't want a bigger tank as I'm saving for my real tank, anywhere from 180G-300G. But that will be about a year or so down the road. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-25-2005, 10:05 PM	#5
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	I understand the thought...the individual bulbs are not lighting the entire tank. Even though the bulbs are "separate", since the tank itself is not divided, the overall light must be considered. Would make an interesting experiment to see how much of the light from both sides are getting into the tank. There must be a mathematical equation out there somewhere...anyone? __________________ _________________________________

12-25-2005, 11:51 PM	#6
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	I was thinking 130+/55, as there's 2 bulbs per side. Would be over a bit in the middle, as you have all 4 bulbs, but on the ends of the tank, would be more like 130. Anyone else have any thoughts? Would be a good experiment. And thanks for the input Jchillin, and Merry Christmas..... __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-25-2005, 11:55 PM	#7
Wizzard~Of~Ozz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,015 Images: 2	If you are considering the light to half the tank, then consider the volume to be half the tank aswell.. it's 260w. (the output of the fixture) / 55Gallons. __________________ 120 Gal SW, 150lbs Prem. Fiji, 23Gal Sump, 2x250w 15K MH, 4x65w Actinic 3 x Halichoeres Chrysus (1 surfed), 3 x Nemateleotris magnifica, 1 x Centropyge bicolor, 11 x Scarlet Hermits, 6 x Zebra Hermits, 40 x Astrea Snails, 6 x Nassarius Snails, 3 x Cerith Snails

12-26-2005, 01:19 AM	#8
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	Cool, thanks..... __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-26-2005, 06:35 AM	#9
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	little advace with the [acronym:86cffecddd="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:86cffecddd] units.. the 4X55Watt units use the same ballasts as the 65's and sometimes there quite a bit cheaper.. you can replace your bulbs with 65w'ers when the 55's go out.. its just an option.. :P

12-26-2005, 12:23 PM	#10
Wizzard~Of~Ozz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,015 Images: 2	Greenmaji, I thought the bulbs came in 55/65w and were dependant on your ballast.. not the other way around. __________________ 120 Gal SW, 150lbs Prem. Fiji, 23Gal Sump, 2x250w 15K MH, 4x65w Actinic 3 x Halichoeres Chrysus (1 surfed), 3 x Nemateleotris magnifica, 1 x Centropyge bicolor, 11 x Scarlet Hermits, 6 x Zebra Hermits, 40 x Astrea Snails, 6 x Nassarius Snails, 3 x Cerith Snails

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