Which light bulb wattage to follow?

[bttay]

The compact (energy saving) light bulb I bought from IKEA reads:
7w = Normal light bulb 35w
11w = Normal light bulb 60w

My questions are:
1) Can I use those light bulb (cool daylight) for planted tank?
2) If the answer is yes, then which wattage should I refer to to calculate wattage for my tank?

Thanks.

[sherchoo]

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On 11/8/2003 11:03:21 AM

The compact (energy saving) light bulb I bought from IKEA reads:
7w = Normal light bulb 35w
11w = Normal light bulb 60w

My questions are:
1) Can I use those light bulb (cool daylight) for planted tank?
2) If the answer is yes, then which wattage should I refer to to calculate wattage for my tank?

Thanks.
----------------

The 3w/g guide refers to the actual wattage which is the 7W and 11W mentioned in your example. Cool daylight (white) would be a good choice for planted tanks. Basically lights ranging from 5500K to 7000K would do fine in a planted tank but as the lighting temp gets lower, it will look dull and yellow.

[bttay]

Thanks Sherwin for your helpful reply.
Based on my rough estimation, a 5ft x 2ft x 2ft tank would be 142 gallon (US) that means it needs 3 x 142 = 426 watts! That's good news for PUB[]

So I need at least 4 x 100w light?
If I am not wrong, PL lights are more efficient than FL. Does that means I need more wattage if I am going to use FL?

Cheers,
Tay

[Kingfisher]

FYI, I'm using 6 x 55W PL tubes for my 4ft tank.

[bttay]

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On 11/8/2003 11:19:09 PM

FYI, I'm using 6 x 55W PL tubes for my 4ft tank.
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Ever calculate how much you pay PUB for those light each month?

[Kingfisher]

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On 11/8/2003 11:27:31 PM

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On 11/8/2003 11:19:09 PM

FYI, I'm using 6 x 55W PL tubes for my 4ft tank.
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Ever calculate how much you pay PUB for those light each month?
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Nope, I did worry more about the plants than the bills. []

[budak]

bbtay, aquarium lights, except perhaps MH systems, are fairly negligible as far as electricity consumption is concerned. I would bet that an average household pays more for the power used in boiling water and hot showers than for 12 hours of daily lighting for 2-3 tanks.

refer also to the thread in chitchat section on Support from Family for the Hobby on how to calculate your power consumption and expense.

[vinz]

For a large tank you need not hit 3WPG. 2 to 2.5WPG is enough. I think for a 5ft tank, 6x55W or 9x36W should be enough.

[ach]

For 5 X 2 X 2, go for 2 MH, 150Watts each. Dont worry 2 6 inch AC fan can bring temp down to 28 deg.