Light Chart for CFLs and PAR?

Django · 02-08-2013, 08:42 AM

Hi. Looking for a way to compare PAR from CFLs, particularly 5W,10W, 13W, 16W or around there, perhaps with a reference to a T8. 10g tank, 9" from substrate. I have 1 10W CFL and my tank is being invaded by BGA and most of the plants are not growing except for Sword.

Thank you in advance,

Steven

ps Are the wattages directly related to the PAR? Does a dimmer 6500 CFL exist? ty

somewhatshocked · 02-08-2013, 12:19 PM

One thing you'll actually want to do is read the Lighting Sticky.

All of your questions are answered there.

**wkndracer** · 02-08-2013, 12:38 PM

post #21 in the first sticky thread if you haven't opened it already LOL
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...2&postcount=21

Django · 02-08-2013, 02:12 PM

Read the sticky on CF. It didn't have all of the information that I'm looking for. Thanks, though.

Steven

ps I managed to get the bulb and the dome about 4" up. The light's on so I'll go and check the luminosity. Thanks

Steven

**Hoppy** · 02-08-2013, 06:40 PM

We were doing great with measuring PAR for CFL bulbs until we noticed that we had been making a few mistakes. That set us back a lot, and since then I haven't done any more testing. It is a much harder thing to do than it appeared to be, since the light you get from the dome-type reflectors depends so much on whether or not the bulb sticks out beyond the end of the reflector. It also isn't clear yet that bulbs from different manufacturers and with different color temperatures will give comparable PAR readings. I keep planning to go back to this, but haven't done so yet.

Django · 02-08-2013, 08:01 PM

Hoppy,

At least you know there's at least one person who's waiting for the results. I hope my requests might be usable at some time in the future. It seemed to me that a product such as I described might be useful to a lot of people.

Thanks,

Steven

02-08-2013, 08:42 AM	#1
Django Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 327	Light Chart for CFLs and PAR? Hi. Looking for a way to compare PAR from CFLs, particularly 5W,10W, 13W, 16W or around there, perhaps with a reference to a T8. 10g tank, 9" from substrate. I have 1 10W CFL and my tank is being invaded by BGA and most of the plants are not growing except for Sword. Thank you in advance, Steven ps Are the wattages directly related to the PAR? Does a dimmer 6500 CFL exist? ty __________________ 10 planted gallons started on 4/18/12; 2x 13w CFL in "Brooder" dome reflectors; Substrate: BIG gravel; AquaClear 30 adjustable HOB; Current Algae: Cyanobacteria, Black Brush? Last edited by Django; 02-08-2013 at 09:04 AM.. Reason: more questions

02-08-2013, 12:38 PM	#3
wkndracer Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (68/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Citrus County,Florida Posts: 6,076	post #21 in the first sticky thread if you haven't opened it already LOL http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...2&postcount=21 __________________ *The Fraternity of Dirt* If at first you don't succeed,,, keep kicking it RubberSideDownOnTheLanding, 2-75g planted, 5-55g planted, 5-20g planted, 110g w/30g sump, 8-10g, Refugium, doghouse/newbie 2012 update adding table top pleco pans & a 90g (Nutz)

02-08-2013, 02:12 PM	#4
Django Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 327	Read the sticky on CF. It didn't have all of the information that I'm looking for. Thanks, though. Steven ps I managed to get the bulb and the dome about 4" up. The light's on so I'll go and check the luminosity. Thanks Steven __________________ 10 planted gallons started on 4/18/12; 2x 13w CFL in "Brooder" dome reflectors; Substrate: BIG gravel; AquaClear 30 adjustable HOB; Current Algae: Cyanobacteria, Black Brush?

02-08-2013, 06:40 PM	#5
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (57/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,287	We were doing great with measuring PAR for CFL bulbs until we noticed that we had been making a few mistakes. That set us back a lot, and since then I haven't done any more testing. It is a much harder thing to do than it appeared to be, since the light you get from the dome-type reflectors depends so much on whether or not the bulb sticks out beyond the end of the reflector. It also isn't clear yet that bulbs from different manufacturers and with different color temperatures will give comparable PAR readings. I keep planning to go back to this, but haven't done so yet. __________________ Hoppy

02-08-2013, 08:01 PM	#6
Django Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 327	Hoppy, At least you know there's at least one person who's waiting for the results. I hope my requests might be usable at some time in the future. It seemed to me that a product such as I described might be useful to a lot of people. Thanks, Steven __________________ 10 planted gallons started on 4/18/12; 2x 13w CFL in "Brooder" dome reflectors; Substrate: BIG gravel; AquaClear 30 adjustable HOB; Current Algae: Cyanobacteria, Black Brush?

02-08-2013, 12:19 PM	#2
somewhatshocked Obsessed? Maybe (View User Tanks) PTrader: (278/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 8,313	One thing you'll actually want to do is read the Lighting Sticky. All of your questions are answered there. __________________ 12gal Long \| 20L Shrimp Tanks \| 3gal Longs \| 10gal \| 45-F \| 5.5gal \| Triple Cubes

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