Comparison of Lighting Types (Lumens and Watts)

[newt]

Four sites and thousands of posts later>>>>>>Finally I run in to some one who understands.

[BlueRam]

Originally Posted by newt

Why discuss lumens for their effectiveness on aquarium plants? Lumens is meaningless for plants. Plants do not utilize green light for photosynthesis. A higher lumen rating at the same wattage often means greener light. Lumen is a rating weighted entirely towards human perception. It has little to do with the value of a light for either growing or viewing plants.

Agreed. The utility of comparing Lumens in the context of the above post is that the number is generally printed on the bulb or easy to find. So if the question is how much better is Brand X T12 at Y color from Brand X T8 at Y color and if the assumption that the specturm is close enough holds, we can say that in terms of OUTPUT T5>T8>T12. This is important for the person who thinks a 40W T12 is 25% brighter than a 32 W T8!

Where I get into serious trouble is the comparison of incandescent, fluorescent, and halide technologies. The Lumen number just does not fully capture the output and does not serve as a decent comparison.

I would be more than happy to retest various light combos with a power meter. All I need is the hardware

[defdac]

I would be more than happy to retest various light combos with a power meter. All I need is the hardware

No all you need is the spectral distribution, the watt and the lumens output - and some funky math as shown in the Ivo Busko page at Aquabotanic. I've made a calculator for it, and have some values calculated here:
DefBlog - PUR-efficiency list

[BlueRam]

Originally Posted by defdac

No all you need is the spectral distribution, the watt and the lumens output - and some funky math as shown in the Ivo Busko page at Aquabotanic. I've made a calculator for it, and have some values calculated here:
DefBlog - PUR-efficiency list

Thanks for the link. I added it to the original article. The Ivo Busko article answers the next logical question as to what PARTICULAR bulb and therefore outside the scope here. Please PM me if you would like to see portions of the original article modified.

[spwbedford]

I would like to say thanks on how helpful these posts have been. Question, what would be the effects of using a megnetic ballast with starter with T5HO tubes?

[BlueRam]

Originally Posted by spwbedford

I would like to say thanks on how helpful these posts have been. Question, what would be the effects of using a magnetic ballast with starter with T5HO tubes?

While the bulb may light, the idea behind T5 is to use electronic ballasts to the fullest to maximize output for a given current consumption.

"The T5 lamp is currently designed for operation only on high-frequency, rapid-start, or programmed rapid-start electronic ballasts."

http://www.pnm.com/customers/tech_guides/PA_11.html "How to Make the Best Choice"

A Workhorse or other T5 ballast is rather easy to find. (the endcaps and bulb length are also different)

[waterfaller1]

Good thread.

[kdanzig]

Hi, I'm new to the forum referred from another forum.

I want to have a planted tank, all I have right now is a few things from petsmart. I am curious about lighting however, since it is important. I have the bulbs that came with the tank, I'm sure they're not proper though. If anyone could give me a little advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Oh I have a 75 gallon