Updating the WPG rule (theory) - Aquarium Advice

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · 02-18-2006, 09:27 PM

I've noticed more and more people are using Watts from a CF to equal 1WPG.. The way I figure these numbers are.

1 W CF bulb = 1.75W towards the WPG rule
1 W T8 bulb = 1.58W towards the WPG rule
1 W T12 bulb = 1W towards the WPG rule

I think this is the most effective way of doing things. assume 1W CF is anywhere near 1W T12 is an understatement.
--------------------------------------------------------------
(supporting math)
CF = 100Lumens / Watt
T8 = 90Lumens / Watt
T12 = 57Lumens / Watt

the WPG rule is based closely to 57Lumens / Watt
so 90/57 = 1.58 WPG for T8 and CF leading by 1.75WPG
--------------------------------------------------------------

There was discussion before about how the WPG is outdated.. I think this is more true then you know.

So for equal lighting

on a 55Gal tank, 200 Watts of T12 (5 bulbs) can be equaled with 128W T8 lighting (4 bulbs, save 1 bulb.) or 114W CF lighting (2x55w, save 2 bulbs.)

Does this seem like something that is reasonable?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
edit:
Well, on my "crusade"

I've finished most of the typing.. hopefully it shows the major differences and can help some people.

Here is the page so far

fishygurl · 02-18-2006, 09:40 PM

Makes sense to me, but what about t5 lighting?

rich311k · 02-18-2006, 09:49 PM

If you are right and your math makes sense. I have over 6 watts a gallon on my tank. Interesting and could explain a few things.

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · 02-18-2006, 09:56 PM

Fishygurl. T5 is a straght CF. (or more accurately, a CF bulb is a bent T5 to reduce it's footprint)

**Purrbox** · 02-18-2006, 10:02 PM

Actually T5 isn't CF. They may work out the same math wise (I have no idea) but they are not the different terms for the same lighting.

T5 Fixtures

CF Fixtures

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · 02-18-2006, 10:06 PM

Fixed my description of a t5 bulb. the fixtures may be different, but I can assure you those bulbs are virtually identical.

Quote:

November 18, 2005—The Sylvania 28-Watt Dulux L Supersaver T5 compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) is the newest addition to the company's expanding line of compact fluorescent products. The Dulux L Supersaver lamps are high lumen, single-ended T5 twin-tube lamps that provide a lumen output similar to 4-foot linear fluorescent lamps, yet are half the length, says Sylvania.

Lonewolfblue · 02-18-2006, 10:57 PM

So, is this how I would calculate my w/g on my 26g?

65W CF
26G tank

65x1.75/26=4.4w/g

Would this be correct, approx 4.4w/g?

I currently only have java moss, which is doing awsome. I have no CO2 injection, I suppliment Flourish Excel daily, and Flourish Trace twice a week, and Flourish Iron once a week. And I have no algae problems, nor green water. All's looking great.

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · 02-18-2006, 11:02 PM

Yes. Now out of curiousity, do you use Co2 on that tank? is there a fair bit of algae? Excel maybe?

Lonewolfblue · 02-18-2006, 11:02 PM

I currently only have java moss, which is doing awsome. I have no CO2 injection, I suppliment Flourish Excel daily, and Flourish Trace twice a week, and Flourish Iron once a week. And I have no algae problems, nor green water. All's looking great.

Lonewolfblue · 02-18-2006, 11:05 PM

In fact, the ugly stuff that was growing on the java moss is almost gone now. Used to have this grayish stuff growing on it when I had the original lighting, but now the java moss is very green. Loving it.

02-18-2006, 09:27 PM	#1
Wizzard~Of~Ozz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,015 Images: 2	Updating the WPG rule (theory) I've noticed more and more people are using Watts from a CF to equal 1WPG.. The way I figure these numbers are. 1 W CF bulb = 1.75W towards the WPG rule 1 W T8 bulb = 1.58W towards the WPG rule 1 W T12 bulb = 1W towards the WPG rule I think this is the most effective way of doing things. assume 1W CF is anywhere near 1W T12 is an understatement. -------------------------------------------------------------- (supporting math) CF = 100Lumens / Watt T8 = 90Lumens / Watt T12 = 57Lumens / Watt the WPG rule is based closely to 57Lumens / Watt so 90/57 = 1.58 WPG for T8 and CF leading by 1.75WPG -------------------------------------------------------------- There was discussion before about how the WPG is outdated.. I think this is more true then you know. So for equal lighting on a 55Gal tank, 200 Watts of T12 (5 bulbs) can be equaled with 128W T8 lighting (4 bulbs, save 1 bulb.) or 114W CF lighting (2x55w, save 2 bulbs.) Does this seem like something that is reasonable? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edit: Well, on my "crusade" I've finished most of the typing.. hopefully it shows the major differences and can help some people. Here is the page so far __________________ 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

02-18-2006, 09:40 PM	#2
fishygurl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: British columbia Canada Posts: 399	Makes sense to me, but what about t5 lighting? __________________ 24 Gallon Freshwater Community Planted ____________________________ Alex

02-18-2006, 09:56 PM	#4
Wizzard~Of~Ozz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,015 Images: 2	Fishygurl. T5 is a straght CF. (or more accurately, a CF bulb is a bent T5 to reduce it's footprint) __________________ 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

02-18-2006, 10:02 PM	#5
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,381	Actually T5 isn't CF. They may work out the same math wise (I have no idea) but they are not the different terms for the same lighting. T5 Fixtures CF Fixtures __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

02-18-2006, 10:57 PM	#7
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,870 Images: 7	So, is this how I would calculate my w/g on my 26g? 65W CF 26G tank 65x1.75/26=4.4w/g Would this be correct, approx 4.4w/g? I currently only have java moss, which is doing awsome. I have no CO2 injection, I suppliment Flourish Excel daily, and Flourish Trace twice a week, and Flourish Iron once a week. And I have no algae problems, nor green water. All's looking great. __________________ 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

02-18-2006, 09:49 PM	#3
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	If you are right and your math makes sense. I have over 6 watts a gallon on my tank. Interesting and could explain a few things.

02-18-2006, 11:02 PM	#8
Wizzard~Of~Ozz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,015 Images: 2	Yes. Now out of curiousity, do you use Co2 on that tank? is there a fair bit of algae? Excel maybe? __________________ 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

02-18-2006, 11:05 PM	#10
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,870 Images: 7	In fact, the ugly stuff that was growing on the java moss is almost gone now. Used to have this grayish stuff growing on it when I had the original lighting, but now the java moss is very green. Loving it. __________________ 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

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