Difference between Energy Saving Blubs and FL

[Peterfoo]

Hi Bro & Sis

Just modified a normal FL casing to hold 2 11W Phillip energy saving blubs for my 3 ft tank. The box shows 11=60W, does it mean i should get 120W of energy.

The trouble is that i do not see the brightness when compared to my other 3 feet tank with a 2 18W FL ligting system.

Why is that so?

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/galle...imageuser=7396
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/galle...imageuser=7396

[|squee|]

The 11W = 60W means that the bulb produces an amount of light for 11W compared to a normal bulb which will produce the same amount of light for 60W.

The brightness can be due to certain factors... the reflector for instance. I'm moving this to the Equipment forum where the mod there can explain better.

[tawauboy]

what it means is that the energy saving bulb is consuming 11w but providing the same amount of light as a 60w incandescent light bulb.
essentially, your setup's brightness level will be similar to a 22w fl.

[Peterfoo]

what it means is that the energy saving bulb is consuming 11w but providing the same amount of light as a 60w incandescent light bulb.
essentially, your setup's brightness level will be similar to a 22w fl.

If I understand you correctly, I have now is a 22W FL system. Given a 3 ft tank of 40G water, I am now only have a 0.55 WPG.

I am thinking with 11=60W Energy saving bulb of that rating, i'll be getting a 3 WPG for the tank.

What about the light spectrum, it is sufficient for a 3 ft tank?

Or another question, do not consider cost, which is the best lighting bulb of same wattage to use in a planted tank? 1) T8 FL, 2) T5 FL, 3) PL, 4) Energy saving

Thanks.


Sorry for the late responds, could not find answer till now.
Still could not get over it and pondering what is what.

[tawauboy]

the light spectrum should be ok and would be similar to normal fluorescent light. there are many aquarist who have successfully used normal flourescent light for planted tanks.

t8, t5, pl, energy saving light are fluorescent lights. among these, t5 would be considered as the best due its compactness. this allows you to pack more light into a casing. also its smaller diameter minimize the light strike-back (light reflected from a reflector hitting the tube) and there are parabolic reflectors available.