Question about the watts per gallon formula

[InfernoST]

When the recommendation of say 3-6 watts per gallon are calculated is the resulting wattage as in incandescent (true) wattage or fluorescent wattage? I ask this because a 16 watt fluorescent bulb's output is equal to a 60 watt incandescent lamp. There is huge difference between a 54 watt fluorescent and a 50 watt incandescent lamp.

[mgamer20o0]

fluorescent..... no one uses incandescent....

[HN1]

Watts are irrelevant if the spectrum is wrong.

[mgamer20o0]

lol HN if you want to get into details also.... there is a difference between reg fluorescent which the wpg was talking about vs CF or T5 also.

[FishEggs]

i think the wpg rule was based on the t10 bulb wasn't it?
also now the reflectors have been advanced to put more lumens into the tank too

[HN1]

There are way too many options (CF, PC, T5, MH) and no direct correlations to decide on what a given WPG recommendation should be. In a FOWLR, it won't really matter. If you want to go reef Inferno (and everyone besides MG does), it's best to research type and spectrum now, save up and get the one you will ultimately want / need for the animals you want to keep. Upgrades get expensive! Trust me! lol

Now lumens and reflectivity are very relevant.

Did I mention that I HATE lighting and math?

[InfernoST]

Originally Posted by mgamer20o0

fluorescent..... no one uses incandescent....

I understand that nobody uses incandescent lamps but that is the basis in which all fluorescent output is compared to. is it possible to answer the question asked?

[InfernoST]

Originally Posted by HN1

Watts are irrelevant if the spectrum is wrong.

So what your saying is i can use a ten watt bulb as long as the spectrum is correct?

[mgamer20o0]

When the recommendation of say 3-6 watts per gallon are calculated is the resulting wattage as in incandescent (true) wattage or fluorescent wattage?

fluorescent

..

[HN1]

Keith, Unfortunately I don't think the question can really be answered as posed. It depends on type, color, lumens, etc. CCapt and Melosu have posted in someone's thread here and have really illuminated (pun intended) the amount of variants.