lighting equivalncies

[wierdkid]

what are the equivalencies for different types of lights? any method of comparison is ok but i would prefer either comparison by watt to NO fluorescent or lumens per watt. (exclude outside factors like reflectors and such)

 

[dskidmore]

Lumens per watt is the only real accurate method of comparing lights. Lux per watt is also sometimes used, but lux depends on how high the light is above the aquarium, so it's an unfair comparison. I've looked around, and had trouble finding this data compiled for the aquarist.

Try these resources:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/lumen.htm
http://aquaticconcepts.thekrib.com/Seminar/B14.jpg
http://www.seasky.org/aquarium/aquarium_faq_page03.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=lumens+per+watt+aquarium

 

[Frogman]

quick and dirty, a normal T12 bulb is around 70 lumens per watt. T8 is around 80 to 85 lumens per watt, but the bulbs are normally lower wattage so you typically get just a few more lumens, but they use less electricity. T5 is around 90 lumens per watt, but you really need a High Output bulb to get enough lumens because the regular bulb is only about 60% of the wattage of a standard bulb.

Compact flourescents are around 85 lumens per watt and are available in high wattage so they are the best choice for high lumen output short of going to a halogen bulb which is very efficient at 90 lumens per watt but they use a lot of watts in a small bulb and get very hot.

 

[dskidmore]

Thanks!
Welcome to Aquarium Advice!

(Joined June 2005, 1st post today?)

 

[wierdkid]

damn, thnaks for the info frogman.