How do i figure out my light intensity?

[vitacrux]

I have a 48" fluorescent hood. Does anyone know how I would figure out the strength of my light?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

The bulb should say what the wattage is (intensity) and the K factor (ie 6700K). The fixture may show the wattage on a sticker, but a couple of my kit hoods didn't so YMMV.

 

[fort384]

Yup, Mr L is on it - to figure out the "strength" or adequacy of your lighting you will need the wattage of the bulb, the type of bulb (t-8? T-5? T5HO?), and the color temp. The bulb should have all of this info on it in way way or another (sometimes it can be a bit cryptic).

Also the size of the tank is key.

 

[vitacrux]

Alright this is what I can read off the bulb:
F40T 10/48" Natural Daylight
Marine land
Made in tawain
Also looks like C10 is written on there. Its a single bulb and the tank is 55 gallons

 

[rich311k]

A standard 4 foot tube would be 34-40 watts.

 

[vitacrux]

A standard 4 foot tube would be 34-40 watts.

So would this put me in the medium or low zone? Or somewhere in between?

Thanks

 

[rich311k]

What size tank? probably 55 or 75 which will make it low.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Neither, it would put you in the really low category. Anubias, java fern, and java moss is about all that would actually live IMO

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Alright this is what I can read off the bulb:
F40T 10/48" Natural Daylight
Marine land
Made in tawain
Also looks like C10 is written on there. Its a single bulb and the tank is 55 gallons

That's a 40w t10 fixture and the bulb is most likely around 6500K. Kinda low light IMO for a 55g tank. If you're looking to plant the tank, check out dual tube 4ft fixtures at www.fishneedit.com is my recommendation.

 

[vitacrux]

That's a 40w t10 fixture and the bulb is most likely around 6500K. Kinda low light IMO for a 55g tank. If you're looking to plant the tank, check out dual tube 4ft fixtures at www.fishneedit.com is my recommendation.

Okay thanks alot.