Watts Per Gallon with Energy Saving Bulbs

[The sea monkeys Rock]

Hi all,

Quick questions. I was looking at various WPG forumlas across the internet. I am using an energy saving bulb, 6500k for my small 3.2G tank. I only have two Cabomba plants.

The bulb is 5w energy saving bulb, which is reported to be equivalent to 25w of a normal bulb. Which wattage number do I run by here? 5w or 25w?

Also, would 6500k output be sufficient for my Cabomba plants? I just bought a timer, was planning on putting the light on for 6-8 hours. Probably not enough C02 in the tank for anymore. I am not using any carbon injection methods. Would that be ok?

Many Thanks

 

[The sea monkeys Rock]

Sorry I meant 6500k colour temperature not output . . .

 

[The sea monkeys Rock]

Might anyone have any thoughts on this one?

 

[MMantelli]

Here is almost all the lighting info you will ever need


http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/aquarium_lighting.html[/QUOTE]

 

[foster53]

The WPG theory is going out, and PAR is a better measurement of lighting.

 

[Ilminded]

Yea, you would use the 5 watt per gallon rule, but if your using CFL's it's 1.75 which would make that 5 watts actually equal 8.75 watts for one bulb. Double that if you have 2.

 

[MMantelli]

The WPG theory is going out, and PAR is a better measurement of lighting.

+1 on that and see if you can find t2 fixtures they might end up even replacing t5's plus there small and would fit your tank nicely.

 

[foster53]

+1 on that and see if you can find t2 fixtures they might end up even replacing t5's plus there small and would fit your tank nicely.

If they get much smaller I will need glasses to change bulbs.

 

[MMantelli]

If they get much smaller I will need glasses to change bulbs.

Haha I know right the t5's are what like 18 mm radius I think mabey 15mm I don't remember exactly but the new t2's are only 7mm radius you could also look into led's I've seen a few websites that carry square or rectangle panels specifically for plant growth.

 

[aqua_chem]

I'm pretty sure that T5HO will be replaced by LEDs and not another type of fluorescent. T2s have been out for a while now and haven't managed to get a foothold in the hobby.

 

[MMantelli]

I'm pretty sure that T5HO will be replaced by LEDs and not another type of fluorescent. T2s have been out for a while now and haven't managed to get a foothold in the hobby.

Oh I've just recently heard of them and what I did read was that if they could get the aquaria market they could be the competition to led's due to there size vs output for the people who cant afford plant capable led's but I'm sure by then led's will be less expensive.

 

[The sea monkeys Rock]

Here is almost all the lighting info you will ever need

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/aquarium_lighting.html

[/QUOTE]

Thank you for this link. You're right, it's everything you'd ever need to know!

 

[MMantelli]

Thank you for this link. You're right, it's everything you'd ever need to know![/QUOTE]

I know right I even enjoyed his article on uv sterilizers.

 

[Ilminded]

Here is almost all the lighting info you will ever need


Aquarium Lighting, Light Information; Reef & Planted, PAR, Watt, Kelvin.

[/QUOTE]

Thanks for this, it helped me make my choice for lighting on my new set-up!